[0:10] Okay, we're gonna bring this meeting to order.
[0:14] Okay. Welcome to the Queen
[0:15] S County Commissioner's meeting.
[0:16] This is a public meeting
[0:17] that is being aired live on our local ca cable television
[0:20] station, QA CTV seven.
[0:22] These media broadcasts provide county citizens an
[0:25] opportunity to watch
[0:26] and review our scheduled public meetings.
[0:28] In addition to our live audience this evening,
[0:30] we are providing remote options for citizens to watch
[0:33] and participate in county commissioner meetings.
[0:35] Citizens may watch our meeting live on our website at
[0:38] qac.org/live,
[0:40] or on our public access governmental television channel
[0:43] provided by Breeze Line Cable Services.
[0:46] Citizens may also participate by going
[0:48] to the live Zoom meeting at qac.org/public comment.
[0:53] Citizens may also email comments to public comment@qac.org.
[0:57] All comments received will be summarized during the press
[1:00] and public comment period.
[1:01] On tonight's agenda. We acknowledge everyone's participation
[1:04] and by attending you acknowledge
[1:05] that this session is both recorded and aired.
[1:07] Press and public comment will be taken
[1:09] and is limited to three minutes per person.
[1:11] If you do care to speak, please sign up at the
[1:12] information table in the lobby.
[1:14] Comments longer than three minutes can be submitted in
[1:16] writing for the commissioner's review.
[1:19] We'll now stand and be led in the
[1:20] Pledge of Allegiance by commission.
[1:21] President Jim Moran,
[1:25] I pledge of allegiance to the flag
[1:27] of the United States of America
[1:29] and to the republic of which stands,
[1:33] one nation under God, an indivisible liberty
[1:37] and justice for all.
[1:38] If you could please remain standing.
[1:41] Tonight we are mourning the loss
[1:42] of our dear friend Patrick Pat Thompson.
[1:46] For more than 45 years, pat served Queenan County
[1:48] as a county attorney providing guidance
[1:51] and counsel to generations
[1:53] of county commissioners and county staff.
[1:56] A lifelong queen Annes county resident.
[1:59] Pat began practicing law locally in 1975
[2:03] and was appointed county attorney in 1980,
[2:07] but Pat was much more than a county attorney to so many
[2:10] of us who had the privilege of working alongside him.
[2:14] He was a trusted advisor, colleague and friend.
[2:18] His knowledge of Queen Annes County, its government
[2:21] and its history was remarkable
[2:23] and his decades of serve service
[2:25] have left a lasting mark on the community.
[2:28] He called whom the county commissioners
[2:30] and employees of Queen Anne County extend our deepest
[2:33] condolences to Pat's wife, Pam, his children, family,
[2:37] friends, and everyone who, whose life what he touched.
[2:41] Pat dedicated much of his, excuse me, pat, dedicated much
[2:45] of his life to serving Queen Anne County
[2:47] and we are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.
[2:51] He will be deeply missed.
[3:02] Thank you very much.
[3:18] Alright,
[3:18] Commissioners, we can move to approve the agenda.
[3:21] So our agenda for tonight's meeting, September 21st, along
[3:25] with the regular session minutes,
[3:26] the closed session minutes,
[3:27] and the sanitary commission minutes from the September 8th
[3:30] meeting have all been circulated for your review.
[3:33] Do we have any additions or corrections? Nope. Gonna
[3:36] Make a motion to approve the agenda as submitted
[3:38] and all the meetings minutes as submitted as well.
[3:42] Second. Motion. Second. Any discussion? Seen none.
[3:46] All those in favor signify to saying aye. A. Opposed?
[3:49] So moved.
[3:51] Thank you commissioners. Okay,
[3:53] we just held a closed session under the general provisions
[3:56] article, section 3, 3 0 5 B three for land acquisition
[4:00] and section 3, 3 0 5 B one for boards
[4:02] and commissions and personnel.
[4:05] So do believe we have a couple
[4:06] of announcements to make. Yep. On
[4:08] Closed session.
[4:09] So I'd like to make a motion
[4:11] that we execute the Grayson Ambulance Building Agreement
[4:15] with the Grayson Volunteer Fire Department
[4:17] to purchase the ambulance building for $700,000.
[4:23] Second. Second. We have a motion and a second.
[4:26] Any discussion? I wonder if everybody knew that
[4:29] that building was even for sale.
[4:31] So nothing. Nobody, okay, so
[4:34] The people know Grayville has a new fire department
[4:37] that they just opened up and then another auxiliary building
[4:40] there, which they've been trying to find a use
[4:42] and a purpose for the county has a need
[4:44] for another location for an ambulance.
[4:46] We have needs for lots
[4:47] of ambulances over the next couple years,
[4:48] but this in particular was a great location, worked out well
[4:51] because after building new fire department, the being able
[4:56] to sell that property is very useful
[4:58] for the Graceville fire department.
[4:59] So it was able to serve a public need for both the county
[5:03] and for the fire department. Yep.
[5:05] Okay. All those in favor signify of saying aye. Aye. Aye.
[5:08] Opposed? Abstained. So moved.
[5:12] All right. Thank you commissioners.
[5:13] Next we had one appointment to make.
[5:16] Yep. I moved to appoint Riley Huffin to the board
[5:18] of Queen Annes County Community Partnerships
[5:20] for Children and Families.
[5:21] The local management board
[5:22] to survey the term beginning July 1st, 2026.
[5:25] Second, We have a motion to second on this item.
[5:27] Any discussion? Seeing none.
[5:30] All those in favor signify the saying Aye. Aye. Aye.
[5:32] Opposed? So moved.
[5:35] Thank you Commissioners. We can now move
[5:37] into pressing public comment.
[5:40] So, we appreciate all citizens taking time
[5:42] to express views to the county.
[5:43] Commissioners. Comments
[5:44] are limited to three minutes per person.
[5:46] Comments longer than three minutes can
[5:47] submit it be submitted in writing.
[5:50] This commission respects your desire
[5:52] and right to convey your matches freely.
[5:53] When come forward, please speak clearly
[5:55] at the standing microphone.
[5:56] State your name, name, your
[5:57] address, and your topic of interest.
[5:59] And in keeping with the dignity of our office, we ask
[6:01] that all views be expressed in a
[6:02] respectful and civil manner.
[6:05] Alrighty, we have one person signed up. Liz Filter.
[6:11] Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to speak.
[6:15] I'm Liz Filter, two 15 Slipper Lane Stevensville.
[6:20] In full transparency, I am a candidate
[6:22] for Queen Annes County commissioner at large,
[6:24] but tonight I stand
[6:26] before you just as a county resident for over 35 years.
[6:30] And I'm a very concerned citizen.
[6:33] During the August 25th commissioner's meeting at the Kent
[6:36] Island Library, I was shocked
[6:38] by the disrespect shown to the public.
[6:41] During a discussion by this body about development,
[6:44] in particular about the Chester Haven Beach project,
[6:47] a commissioner went off topic
[6:48] to scold the public about criticisms he was reading online
[6:52] and then even went so far as to include a profanity
[6:56] to add insult.
[6:58] Another commissioner piled on
[6:59] with his comments in the same vein.
[7:01] But the real kicker was the deafening silence from the other
[7:05] commissioners, the lack of rebuke or a call to order.
[7:10] I respectfully ask for you all to do better.
[7:14] Yes, we live in a world where internet trolls exist,
[7:17] but we also have citizens that do not feel heard, citizens
[7:22] that are tired of the status quo.
[7:24] Please make your decisions more transparent.
[7:27] Debate and discuss the tough issues in public.
[7:31] Let the voters feel supported,
[7:33] not berated. Thank you so much.
[7:36] Alright, that's, that's all signed up to speak.
[7:38] Would anyone else like to speak? One. One? Okay.
[7:47] Mr, are you here to speak now?
[7:50] Would you like to speak now?
[7:54] I think it's frozen. I think it's frozen.
[7:57] Hello? Oh, there he is. There he is.
[8:00] Can, can you hear me? Yes. Yeah.
[8:02] Oh, okay. I wasn't sure if he
[8:03] he was coming through or not.
[8:05] First of all, Jay Fag,
[8:07] queen Ance Conservation Association Commissioners,
[8:09] thank you very much for the opportunity to speak the board
[8:13] of QACA.
[8:14] Would like to extend our sincerest condolences
[8:18] to both the county government and the Thompson family.
[8:22] We were obviously very saddened to hear about his passing
[8:25] and just wanted to convey our condolences.
[8:29] Pat's been around for a long time,
[8:30] served the county honorably
[8:32] and we just wanted to acknowledge that.
[8:35] The second thing, commissioners, at the last meeting
[8:39] that I was unable to make your morning meeting,
[8:43] I just wanted to express thanks to the county commissioners
[8:46] for their signing on
[8:47] of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy letter.
[8:51] This letter is in support of land conservation.
[8:55] As a result of any development that might come forward
[8:59] from a potential new Bay Bridge, I realized
[9:02] that we're on opposite sides of what that bridge means.
[9:04] But I think we can all agree that land preservation
[9:08] in our county, the largest grain producing county in the
[9:11] state, we've got a long, proud heritage
[9:15] of protecting land in this county.
[9:17] And I just wanted to acknowledge that letter
[9:19] that you all put forward and say thank you very much.
[9:22] So thanks for the opportunity to speak
[9:24] and thanks for your service to the county.
[9:27] You receive two emails
[9:35] And both of these emails are
[9:36] concerning resolution 26 dash 15.
[9:39] The first email was from a Chris Esthers, the founder
[9:43] of Good Truffle Circle, concerning resolution 26 15.
[9:48] He asked basically some series, series
[9:50] of questions about like, what prompted this now,
[9:53] what would the effective date be?
[9:55] What are the written standards behind it?
[9:57] What would be the enforcement and what are like clear terms
[10:00] and exceptions by like defining what is the sign,
[10:03] what is county property rights of way and so forth.
[10:08] He also ends by thank you for your service
[10:10] and for considering these requests.
[10:12] And he'd be glad to answer any questions.
[10:14] The second email is from Thomas Hirsh
[10:17] of 1 3 9 McHenry Court, Chester, Maryland.
[10:20] And he, his email is just basically saying
[10:23] that he is against this ordinance.
[10:25] The new ordinance should not be effective until, at least
[10:28] after November 4th, the day after the general election.
[10:32] So those are the only two emails that we received. Thank
[10:34] You.
[10:36] Alright, we're gonna go ahead
[10:37] and close press and public comment.
[10:39] Moving on. Alright. Alright, moving on commissioners.
[10:42] We have a couple of presentations up next.
[10:44] So if you wanna turn to tab number six.
[10:48] So tab six, item one, page one.
[10:50] We have the proclamation for the official town crier. So Mr.
[10:55] Rick Ada, please. Am I saying that right? Ada?
[10:58] You are Alright. Please come on up here if you want to.
[11:00] Well, you can stand right there if you
[11:01] like that. That's good.
[11:04] I think that's a job requirement, isn't it?
[11:06] I don't need any microphones. They're not from my period.
[11:08] Well, I think it's really for the,
[11:09] for the tv The TV audience.
[11:10] Yeah, for the TV audience. Yes, sir. Sorry. Please.
[11:12] Thank you.
[11:14] Well, gentlemen, I guess the first thing is did you,
[11:17] I did not know what
[11:18] to expect at this meeting other than I was going
[11:20] to be appointed as your official town cri.
[11:23] And I just want, I guess first I'd like
[11:25] to ask you if you have any questions or, or,
[11:28] Well, why don't we do this?
[11:29] Why don't I go ahead and read the
[11:30] proclamation first and that might generate,
[11:31] And I got a few comments on.
[11:34] Okay.
[11:36] By order of the county commissioners,
[11:37] the Queen Anne County, be it known to all students
[11:39] of Queen Anne County, this is Proclamation 26 0 3.
[11:43] Whereas throughout the history, the Office
[11:45] of Town Crier has stood as a respected
[11:47] and time honored tradition serving as a vital link
[11:50] between governing bodies
[11:52] and the people by publicity are publicly announcing matters
[11:56] of civic importance.
[11:58] Mr. Rick Ada is a person of exemplary character,
[12:02] commanding presence,
[12:03] and clear voice who has demonstrated a sincere commitment
[12:06] to community engaging in public service.
[12:10] And whereas Rick is hereby appointed
[12:12] to the official town cri for Queen Annes County entrusted
[12:15] with the distinguished responsibility
[12:17] of proclaiming official announcements, local ordinances,
[12:22] celebratory news,
[12:23] and special recognition on behalf of the county.
[12:26] And whereas this role, Rick will, shall, shall serve
[12:30] as an authoritative and ceremonial voice
[12:32] for Queen Annes County fostering community pride, ensuring
[12:36] that the important information is communicated in a manner
[12:39] that is both accessible, engaging to the residents
[12:43] and visitors alike.
[12:45] The presence
[12:46] of the official town crier enriches public gatherings,
[12:49] commemorations and civic events
[12:51] by honoring historical tradition, by promoting transparency,
[12:55] inclusivity, and public awareness with the community.
[12:59] Now therefore, we, the county commissioners
[13:01] of Queen Annes County, who hereby proclaim
[13:05] and appoint Rick Ada as the official town choir
[13:10] for Queen Annes County and commend him for his willingness
[13:12] to serve in this unique
[13:14] and honorable capacity to the benefit
[13:17] and the enjoyment of the citizens of Queen Annes County.
[13:28] Well, I, I just wanna say it's, it's
[13:30] with great appreciation and affection that I thank Mr.
[13:35] Mr. Moran, Elle Wilson, McLaughlin,
[13:38] and Cocaino tonight for your approval
[13:42] and designation of me as the official town crier
[13:46] of Queen Anne's County, Maryland.
[13:48] It is with great honor, sincerity,
[13:50] and joy that I look forward to serving this fine county
[13:54] of Queen Anns as your town crier. Thank you very much.
[13:58] Thank you. Thank you
[14:05] Again.
[14:05] Thank you Scott Mcla, first off, I would like to, to mention
[14:10] and, and echo what President Brand said as far as the laws
[14:15] of Patrick Thompson on behalf of the Maryland judiciary.
[14:18] We had saying in the judiciary there, the lawyers
[14:21] and there were real lawyers,
[14:23] and Patrick Thompson was a real lawyer.
[14:26] He will be missed. I'd like to introduce Mr. Russ.
[14:31] Hey, good Tonight, he is our immediate past president
[14:35] of the SAR Sons of the American Revolution,
[14:37] which I'm a member and Rick is an associate member.
[14:42] It's a, a Tench Tillman chapter,
[14:44] which Tch Tillman was born in Tbe County.
[14:47] But as we all know, Tench Tillman was aided to camp
[14:50] to George Washington.
[14:52] And it, the surrender of Jamestown, James Tillman Road
[14:56] to Philadelphia to announce that we had won the war,
[14:59] the Revolutionary War,
[15:01] and you may remember out in,
[15:03] at the four H Park just passed four H Park,
[15:05] Charles Wilson Peele, a a citizen of Queen Anne County,
[15:10] born in Queen Anne County,
[15:12] did a portrait from Life at Jamestown,
[15:15] which shows the surrender.
[15:17] And it shows George Washington Lafayette
[15:22] and t Tillman and the flag, the troops are marching by.
[15:27] I happened to be Well, ed Pfu,
[15:32] brown State Archives, everybody says, I had Judge South,
[15:35] I had eagle phobia.
[15:37] We have the eagle on the old courthouse.
[15:39] And when you built a new courthouse, we put the Eagle
[15:42] and Dr.
[15:43] Pfu died. If you go to Annapolis
[15:46] and we did a tour over there, I would encourage everyone
[15:50] to go to Annapolis.
[15:51] They have redone the room over there
[15:54] and that portrait is there and it shows the flag.
[15:57] And that portrait was cleaned some number
[15:59] of years ago, and guess what?
[16:01] The American Eagle popped out on that flag.
[16:05] So, but the other thing, Louis Stein, uncle Lewis, to me
[16:09] was the, the working sword for, for Ted Tillman sat there
[16:13] for years, but they didn't have a ceremonial sword.
[16:16] And Louis Stein got
[16:18] that from the Tillman family in Baltimore.
[16:21] It does hang right there next to that portrait.
[16:24] And it is the same sword
[16:25] that is shown in that portrait there.
[16:28] So it's most interesting.
[16:30] But I like if Wes could say a few words,
[16:33] he is our media past President of Sons
[16:35] of American Revolution, and now our treasurer.
[16:37] But this is a busy man
[16:39] and the 250th anniversary,
[16:41] he was instrumental in getting a lot of work done.
[16:44] And if you say a few words
[16:46] Sure.
[16:47] Thank you, Scott. I I wanted
[16:48] to say a couple words about Rick
[16:49] and then a little bit about the Suns American Revolution.
[16:52] I think I met Rick the very first time when we were invited
[16:55] to go to the old wide church where Rick acts as sort
[16:59] of like a historian and explains the history of the church.
[17:02] He also portrays individuals who would've been members of
[17:06] that church back in the 18th century.
[17:09] And then as I got involved
[17:11] with not only the Suns American Revolution,
[17:14] but the Talbot two 50 Commission, which was planning a lot
[17:17] of events for the 250th anniversary of the founding
[17:20] of our nation, I reached out to Rick
[17:23] 'cause I thought he might be a good person to act
[17:25] as a town crier.
[17:26] And in fact, he was, he did a great job
[17:28] and he's never turned me down.
[17:30] Every time I ask Rick, will you show up
[17:32] and do something, whether it's acting as a town crier,
[17:35] portraying William Hemsley
[17:37] or any other person, Rick is there for us.
[17:41] And so I just wanted to acknowledge him.
[17:44] He was first, I believe the official town crier
[17:46] for our SAR chapter.
[17:48] Isn't that right? The Colonel Tinch Tillman Chapter
[17:50] Sons, the American Revolution.
[17:52] And as Scott said, Tillman was both a local
[17:54] and a national his hero
[17:56] because of what he did in serving George Washington
[17:59] and helping him manage the war effort.
[18:02] I wanted to say just a couple things about the SARC.
[18:05] You know what it is? It's an organization
[18:07] that was founded in April 30th, 1889,
[18:12] exactly 100 years
[18:15] after the anniversary of George Washington's inauguration
[18:18] as our first president.
[18:20] Then in 1906 Congress granted a congressional
[18:24] charter to the organization.
[18:26] It was signed by President Teddy Roosevelt,
[18:28] who was also a member of the Suns of American Revolution.
[18:31] We currently have over 38,000 members
[18:34] and 550 local chapters across the United States
[18:38] and some international chapters.
[18:41] We're a lineage organization, which means
[18:44] we can trace our ancestry back to someone that we consider
[18:48] to be a patriot during the Revolutionary War era.
[18:51] Our mission is to honor
[18:55] our Revolutionary War patriot ancestors,
[18:57] and we do it in three ways.
[18:58] Number one, we promote patriotism.
[19:01] Number two, we serve our communities.
[19:03] And number three, we educate
[19:05] and inspire future generations about the founding
[19:08] principles of our country.
[19:10] So that's what we're all about.
[19:12] Thank you all for letting us speak
[19:13] and for granting Rick the acknowledgement
[19:18] as your official town crier for the county.
[19:21] Thank you so much.
[19:23] Awesome. Thank, thank you.
[19:27] We, would it be possible to get a picture? Sure, sure. Yeah.
[19:29] Appreciate that. You go, there's a proclamation.
[19:37] This is,
[19:42] appreciate it.
[19:43] I know right?
[19:49] Picture.
[19:54] Oh, hey, that'd be great. Thank you.
[20:01] Hold some stuff.
[20:30] 1, 2, 3, smile.
[20:39] Yeah, I wanna be in the photo. It happened one time
[20:42] and I will never go back.
[20:44] I was like this.
[20:46] She screamed. I have.
[20:55] Yeah, like, what's wrong with your
[21:07] All right, commissioners.
[21:08] Moving right along. We have our second presenter tonight,
[21:11] John McKnight and Company.
[21:13] They have a presentation in your book under tab two,
[21:16] or excuse me, tab six, item two, pages two through 12.
[21:19] This is for the Kent Island Community Garden.
[21:22] So folks, come on up.
[21:28] You can introduce your colleagues, John,
[21:29] and the presentation's also up on the screen as well for
[21:33] Do I have to sit because I,
[21:34] I can't see the screen then. So
[21:36] You can stand if you'd like.
[21:38] Yeah, bring The mic over so they can hear you.
[21:45] All right. Hey,
[21:46] We're from Ken Community Garden.
[21:48] I'm John McKnight. We got Steve Wine and Patty Wine.
[21:51] They're gonna talk a little bit too,
[21:53] but first of all, I wanna thank the commissioners
[21:55] for their support of this garden
[21:57] where we were the first garden in Queen Annes County.
[22:01] We have other ones popping up here and there now.
[22:04] The Rotary just supported one, I believe, in Centerville.
[22:07] And it's just growing.
[22:09] And we, you know, are, are really appreciative.
[22:13] I know a number of you have been out there.
[22:14] Jim was out there at our open house and Chris was, and
[22:18] and without Pat's support, we wouldn't have a garden.
[22:21] I mean, I remember me, him
[22:23] and Curtis were walking
[22:25] through the field talking about putting a garden here,
[22:27] and we're getting eaten by bugs.
[22:29] And, and one of the things we have today,
[22:31] because we planted so many native plants
[22:34] and things like that, all those nasty bugs
[22:36] that bite have gone away.
[22:37] And we've got like all these friendly insects now. So Yeah.
[22:42] Anyway, I wanna talk a little bit about
[22:43] how the community garden started and where it is today.
[22:46] Some of the capital investments that were made,
[22:49] future plans for investments.
[22:50] Steve's gonna talk a little bit about that.
[22:53] And then how the garden serves Kent Island
[22:55] and Queen Ann's community.
[22:57] That's really my favorite part about the garden.
[23:00] I, I looked at it, you know, not necessarily as just a place
[23:03] for residents to grow vegetables,
[23:05] but more as a living classroom,
[23:07] as an education resource for the county.
[23:10] And we've been networking a lot with the schools
[23:12] and the library and, and patio.
[23:14] Talk a lot about that.
[23:16] But anyway, it was founded 12 years ago
[23:18] as the Glee community garden.
[23:20] They had given us land next to the
[23:22] Lutheran Church over in Harborview.
[23:25] And they had to sell the land.
[23:28] I actually drove by there and they put
[23:29] houses where the garden was.
[23:30] So we got outta there, we got kicked out.
[23:33] And fortunately one day I was riding my bicycle
[23:36] to the library along the bike path.
[23:38] And I, I went to the power companies.
[23:40] I went to all the neighborhoods everywhere.
[23:42] And I needed some place where there were enough people
[23:44] around in Kent Island, you know,
[23:46] to be able to put the garden together.
[23:48] And, and I'm riding my bike by,
[23:49] and I see the fire marshal's house and I'm nosying around.
[23:53] I don't know, I was gonna get arrested.
[23:54] I go behind it and I see this big open parcel of land
[23:57] and I see a water spigot there.
[23:59] I turn it on. I'm like, oh, they got water here.
[24:01] So I, I contacted you guys
[24:03] and came up with the idea
[24:04] of this would be a good place to put it.
[24:06] So what do we have? We've organized
[24:08] as a 5 0 1 C3 Maryland charity.
[24:11] We're also a Maryland charity.
[24:13] We have 18 garden beds and four specialty beds.
[24:17] That's what I talk about. The education beds.
[24:20] One of the beds right now, which was,
[24:22] I believe the native flowers.
[24:24] We're turning that this next year totally into milkweed
[24:28] as we become a monarch waste station.
[24:31] Huge numbers of monarchs come through now,
[24:33] which never came pollinator.
[24:35] We could talk to students
[24:36] and library, they do a bunch
[24:38] of library stuff about pollinating
[24:40] and of course herb gardens.
[24:41] We got every kind of herb you could think of.
[24:43] If, if you like to cook
[24:44] and you want some herbs, come on, buy our garden.
[24:46] We got plenty to give away.
[24:48] And Haven Ministries, one of the the things,
[24:51] I got a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture,
[24:54] and part of that grant was for the irrigation system.
[24:57] We had to give so much food that we grow to, to charity.
[25:01] And we, we, we do more than that every year.
[25:04] We got about 20 gardeners,
[25:06] but even better, we've, one of the things that I decided
[25:09] to do, because I've got involved
[25:11] with the Master gardener program when I was at Gal Lake
[25:13] Gardens, is we've actually become part of the University
[25:18] of Maryland extension.
[25:19] And what does that provide us?
[25:21] Well, if you're a master gardener with the University
[25:24] of Maryland extension, you have to do 20 hours
[25:26] of volunteer work a year and get 10 CEUs.
[25:28] Well, all these gardeners who are like very talented people,
[25:31] they come over to get their volunteer hours
[25:33] and they get them for working at our gardener.
[25:35] And that's very unique.
[25:41] Just a quick idea of what we have there.
[25:44] Of course, we have the shed
[25:46] and that it's all the tools, equipment, all the gardeners.
[25:49] We have lawnmowers, we got weed whackers,
[25:51] we got rakes and shovels.
[25:52] We gardeners don't have to buy anything.
[25:54] It's all supplied to them.
[25:56] Our latest thing that we just built there is a greenhouse.
[25:59] You can see the interior of it, it,
[26:01] we've yet to put it in use.
[26:03] But really one of my favorite parts about the garden is the
[26:05] seating area and the picnic table, you know,
[26:08] on a beautiful spring day or summer day, it was not too hot.
[26:11] You can sit there. I, I've, I've sat there with a book
[26:14] and looked out over the pollinator garden
[26:16] and I've seen hummingbirds come in
[26:19] and all kinds of critters that, you know, beautiful,
[26:22] beautiful critters and whi which never existed there before.
[26:30] And again, the herb garden. The pollinator garden.
[26:32] And we've been listed as a monarch waste station.
[26:37] Finally, before I turn it over to Steve, just some
[26:40] of the capital investments, many of you're aware
[26:43] of is the county land.
[26:44] We have a renewable lease with you guys.
[26:47] Garden shed was a capital investment.
[26:49] I actually got duty towing to move it from Galway Garden.
[26:52] We're able to save that shed, which has its own history.
[26:56] Picnic bench and chairs. Just adds to it.
[26:59] People can come down, just enjoy the garden, the deer fence,
[27:02] the irrigation system, which the Maryland Department
[27:05] of Agriculture Finance for us.
[27:07] And then more recently, our latest acquisition, we built
[27:10] that greenhouse and, and we're putting solar panel on it,
[27:14] but I don't wanna steal, steal Steve's
[27:16] Stuff under push it right there.
[27:21] Okay. Okay. We'll move to the next slide.
[27:26] Future investments.
[27:27] This is just a good picture
[27:28] of the ex exterior of the garden.
[27:31] One thing I'm gonna talk about in a minute,
[27:33] if you look at the tree line there, there's a,
[27:35] a buffer zone there.
[27:36] There's about a 20 foot wide section of basically weeds
[27:41] that we are looking at turning into kind
[27:44] of a wild scape wetland meadow area potentially.
[27:49] So we've got our local deer, plenty of those.
[27:52] We've got a pretty big fox that roams the grounds as well.
[27:58] You wanna go back? I wanna go back. There we go.
[28:03] Okay. So future investments, really a couple of things.
[28:06] John mentioned the greenhouse for plant propagation.
[28:11] Right now we're looking at installing a power,
[28:14] a solar power system for the greenhouse, since we're kind
[28:18] of off grid there, that will allow us to have the fans
[28:22] lights and auto irrigation system.
[28:25] We want to create kind of an automated food processing
[28:31] facility inside the greenhouse is, is one
[28:33] of the things we're going to use that for.
[28:35] I'm gonna supplement that a little bit with
[28:38] rain barrels as well.
[28:41] As you see the, the pictures up here on the trail
[28:44] of the wetland mitigation sign,
[28:47] the rain garden at Queen Ann's, we kind of like to tie in
[28:50] with that particular project a little bit
[28:53] to do this native Wild Escape wetland meadow.
[28:58] It's approximately one half acre there.
[29:01] And it would certainly be very, very beneficial to the,
[29:04] to the Cox Creek sanctuary as far
[29:08] as the improving water quality there.
[29:12] But also not only impact the water quality in the Cox Creek
[29:17] sanctuary, but we're looking at increasing the native plant
[29:21] population along that buffer area as well.
[29:26] That's kind of a couple things we're working on right now.
[29:35] You up Patty? Okay. Over to Patty.
[29:38] Talk about community outreach.
[29:41] Okay. So now that we have all of this infrastructure,
[29:44] what are we gonna do with it?
[29:45] How are we going to get the community involved?
[29:51] Oh, word of mouth.
[29:53] We're going to partner with the University
[29:57] of Maryland and Queen Annes County extension
[30:01] for Master Gardeners, which John talked about with that.
[30:05] We have plant sales, we have seed giveaways,
[30:09] we have all types of community driven activities
[30:13] that we can easily fit into their programs
[30:19] with volunteers and volunteers are very important.
[30:24] We've also gotten together with Ken Island High School,
[30:29] their honor students have gotten together
[30:34] to form a, oh, what is the name of it?
[30:39] The Environmental Crusaders.
[30:44] Environmental Captains for the month of September.
[30:49] I've had them come in
[30:50] and work with us one Wednesday a week from
[30:55] three 30 to four 30.
[30:58] And they've been doing manual labor,
[31:02] they've been learning a lot.
[31:03] They've been asking about insects, plants, vegetables
[31:08] that they've never seen before.
[31:10] It's a definitely a well worth of program to have them.
[31:15] Are they eligible for their, their They are, yes. Thank you.
[31:19] Hours of community service. They do.
[31:21] And all students are,
[31:23] and we track those hours for each individual student
[31:29] and sign off on them at the end.
[31:33] Let's see the schools
[31:35] and the library, since our garden is right
[31:38] behind the Queen Ann Ken Island Library.
[31:43] We're very involved with programs through the library,
[31:48] through the extension as well.
[31:50] And we're gonna start trying to break off to have more
[31:54] of these programs on our own.
[31:56] Because the library, believe it
[31:58] or not, is very, very busy
[31:59] with other programs throughout the community.
[32:03] But in October on the 16th, we're having a
[32:09] book reading at the library for little ones.
[32:12] And then they will walk over
[32:14] because it's a short walk to the community garden
[32:18] and do crafts
[32:20] and maybe a leaf
[32:23] hunt, things like that.
[32:26] Little things like that.
[32:30] And let's see, Haven Ministries,
[32:34] John talked about, we have one bed
[32:38] that is directly for Haven Ministries so far
[32:43] and that might change as time goes on,
[32:46] but we're developing that program so that the produce
[32:49] that we take goes to Haven Ministries at least once, twice,
[32:54] three times a week.
[32:57] We're looking into developing with our greenhouse
[33:02] herbs that the recipients
[33:05] of the Haven Ministries Pantry
[33:08] can have access to all year.
[33:11] Along with, you know, lettuces
[33:14] and cool weather crops, radishes,
[33:18] broccoli, things like that.
[33:22] So these are all in development.
[33:25] In addition to be able to go out into the community
[33:29] and do things like at Ken Island Day
[33:33] or any kind of Centerville Day
[33:37] or whatever, we're, we're developing a kiosk
[33:41] so we can have a setup for a table or,
[33:46] or bench or whatever.
[33:48] So we can actually go to these functions
[33:51] and interact with people, see what they want, invite them
[33:54] to the garden, ask what they're interested in,
[33:58] and also do classes at the garden.
[34:01] So say someone is a homeowner
[34:04] and needs some help with their tomatoes
[34:07] or wants to do a cool weather production
[34:12] for the fall, we can
[34:15] actually have the demo gardens at the,
[34:18] at the Ken Island Community garden
[34:20] to show them how to do it.
[34:22] So we've come a long way since I came before you
[34:24] 2020, I think that's,
[34:26] I can't believe we did it. We've gone past
[34:28] Our time.
[34:29] I apologize. That's quite, but we wanted to thank you
[34:31] and that's why we're here because it really is
[34:34] Our open house And it's a good thing.
[34:37] Yes. You know, it's a really good
[34:40] Thing.
[34:41] Well you guys have, certainly,
[34:42] you guys have certainly committed and, and, and ran with it.
[34:44] I mean, I can remember when you first reached out to us
[34:47] and said, we're losing our garden.
[34:50] And that's when we really started getting educated about
[34:53] your organization and what you guys do.
[34:55] And so this o obviously is a win-win
[35:00] for everybody who wants to get involved.
[35:03] And again, there are students getting their community
[35:05] service hours, people
[35:07] who are having troubles with their tomatoes.
[35:10] Fred, I know you're having trouble with your tomatoes, so
[35:12] I have a hard time eating, so Yeah.
[35:17] But you guys have come a long way
[35:18] and it's an awesome investment on our part to,
[35:23] to make sure that we got to where we are today
[35:25] and continue to do the great work that you guys are doing.
[35:28] Yeah. And send volunteers our way, please. Absolutely.
[35:32] The cons, constituents that you meet, send them our way.
[35:36] We'll put 'em to work.
[35:38] Thank you. Do real quick, you wanna,
[35:40] you wanna just let people know how they can get ahold
[35:42] of you if you guys have a Facebook page or a website
[35:45] or, okay, there you go.
[35:46] Right up there. Alright. Yep.
[35:49] Yeah, the Facebook is probably the best way,
[35:51] but we, we started an online page too, so
[35:56] we had a lot of people just walk by the garden, you know,
[35:58] they're on bicycles and they see somebody there
[36:00] and then they're asking, how can I join?
[36:02] Yeah. Because it's like, we only have 18 beds.
[36:06] So, but we've gotten really much better quality gardeners
[36:11] since we moved over there.
[36:13] We're very picky. Now we have guys who's a retired doctor.
[36:16] We have this one lady who comes and cleans up the garden
[36:19] and we were asking her, are you really good at this?
[36:22] And did you grow up? She goes, well, I grew up on a farm.
[36:24] And I was, oh, you are a farmer.
[36:26] She goes, no, no, I, I, I was a neurosurgeon at Hopkins.
[36:28] I just, in case
[36:34] Last, Thank you very much. Thank you. Appreciate
[36:36] It.
[36:37] John, John, have you been to the senior, the senior center?
[36:41] Huh? Have you been to the senior center for Oh yeah.
[36:43] I, alright,
[36:45] I was just thinking, you know, seniors might wanna
[36:48] have a little garden there. Yeah,
[36:50] We've talked about that.
[36:51] Yeah. Okay. Yeah, thank you.
[36:53] And also, I don't know what their food situation is,
[36:57] but we certainly have enough produce
[36:59] that we could contribute if they have lunches or whatever,
[37:03] You know, you know, we, down the road, we,
[37:05] we did have two just drop it off
[37:07] handicap gardens at our old garden
[37:08] and we've talked about building one of them, you know, need
[37:12] To do that again.
[37:14] Yeah. A few things. Yeah. It's always nice to have,
[37:16] But it's only been a year and a half.
[37:19] Yes. Which is pretty amazing.
[37:21] And we thank you guys very
[37:22] Much.
[37:23] Thank you. Cheer. Thank you. Great work.
[37:24] Thanks for your time.
[37:31] All right, commissioners, moving on.
[37:32] We have one final presentation
[37:34] and this is from our Annie Sparks, the Director of Aging
[37:38] and Transportation, and Mr.
[37:39] Steve Palmer, our transit administrator.
[37:41] And they have a consultant here with KFH Group.
[37:45] And we have a presentation of the transit development plan
[37:48] and we have a, this is an action item for adoption
[37:51] of this particular plan if you so choose to do
[37:54] so following the presentation Commissioner.
[37:56] So
[37:58] Annie, take it away.
[37:59] Thanks Todd. Good evening Commissioners.
[38:01] We are here today to talk about the
[38:04] five year transit development plan
[38:06] and partnership with KFH Group.
[38:08] So I want to introduce a few folks to get started.
[38:12] First off, we have Bridy Mastro here
[38:14] who led the planning from KFH group.
[38:17] And then down at the end is Will Sutton,
[38:19] who led the previous plans years,
[38:22] and then Steven Palmer, transit administrator.
[38:25] So as Todd mentioned, this five year plan is, we are hoping
[38:29] that that will be adopted today, meaning
[38:33] that we can potentially ask
[38:35] for grant funds in this next five year cycle.
[38:39] Not meaning we have to do everything in this plan,
[38:42] but it gives us the opportunity to ask for funding,
[38:45] should we choose to during that five year span.
[38:49] And then to conclude tonight, we do have a proposal
[38:53] for our current Annapolis route
[38:54] that is somewhat separate from the plan,
[38:56] but which came up due to some findings from the plan.
[39:00] So I will turn it over to ready to get started.
[39:09] Good evening, Ron. And thank you. You move closer.
[39:13] Thank you for the introduction and,
[39:16] and again, thank you all of you for having me here.
[39:19] I'm quite excited to present the findings from
[39:22] the plan that we had.
[39:23] We worked on it for over a year with Queen Annes County
[39:27] and the countywide staff
[39:29] and it was a great opportunity to learn about the county
[39:33] and learn about the place people
[39:35] and kind of see how, you know, everything comes together
[39:38] and what the needs and issues are.
[39:40] So, so here I am just going to go to the next slide here.
[39:46] I would like to give you a quick overview of
[39:48] what a transit development plan is.
[39:52] So this is a five year short term plan.
[39:56] It's a roadmap for the county
[39:58] for improving public transportation
[40:01] and for potential future funding.
[40:04] So, so basically every transit agency in Maryland,
[40:08] they go through this process.
[40:11] It's a requirement by Maryland Department of Maryland,
[40:15] department of Transportation,
[40:16] and Maryland Transit Administration.
[40:19] And it basically connects to their annual grant application
[40:23] for the state and federal funding.
[40:26] So transit development plan, it helps us guide the growth
[40:29] of public transit and it also helps us define what the goals
[40:33] and objectives are of public transit in the county.
[40:35] And then they provide the basis for future
[40:38] federal and state funding.
[40:43] So the planning process, we go through several,
[40:48] several steps here.
[40:50] So we kicked off this plan last year in June, and,
[40:54] and then we,
[40:57] and then we kind of worked on the existing conditions.
[40:59] It's, it's, it's a, it's a detailed quantitative analysis.
[41:03] We look at the system in detail, you wanna see
[41:06] how the routes are doing, how the service is doing,
[41:08] what the ridership is like, you know, the performance.
[41:11] So we kind of review all the
[41:13] operating statistics of the plan.
[41:15] We go ride the buses, we talk to the frontline staff, try
[41:18] to understand, you know, what the issues are
[41:20] or what needs to be improved.
[41:22] We also look at the demographics
[41:24] and land use of the county to gain a better understanding of
[41:27] where people live, where the transit needs are,
[41:30] where the service gap exists.
[41:32] And then the next step we is the community outreach.
[41:36] And I will talk a little bit more about it in a minute,
[41:39] but it's basically the feedback
[41:41] that we collect from the riders in the community
[41:43] to get a better understanding of you know, what they need
[41:46] and what they are experiencing.
[41:49] Then based on our existing conditions
[41:52] and feedback from the public that we receive, we go ahead,
[41:56] we work on system alternatives.
[41:58] There could be modifications
[42:00] to the system operations capital.
[42:03] And we come up with several options, you know, that,
[42:06] you know, the county, the transit agency can, can work with.
[42:11] And then based on the priorities, we, we come up, we, we,
[42:16] we develop certain recommendations
[42:17] with them in a five year timeline
[42:20] of when they should be implemented.
[42:22] And along with that, what are the operating costs,
[42:24] capital costs that are associated with those implementation.
[42:27] And then we, we got to the final plan.
[42:29] That's, that's what we are presenting here
[42:31] and for your, for your blessing today.
[42:37] So just a quick overview of the existing conditions
[42:41] that existed when we started
[42:42] with the plan Queen County, right?
[42:45] It operates four fixed routes.
[42:49] So one of them, route two county right is the local
[42:53] is the local route within the county.
[42:55] And routes one, three
[42:56] and four are regional routes that connect to East Annapolis
[43:00] and in the northern part of the county.
[43:01] And as well as they go down to Denton.
[43:04] Route four is the only one which runs once a week.
[43:08] Other than that, there's door-to-door service.
[43:10] Countywide services are fair free at this time.
[43:13] And the service that operates only on weekdays
[43:17] between 6:30 AM
[43:18] and 4:30 PM
[43:21] for the public outreach.
[43:23] We conducted writer surveys.
[43:26] We went on onboard buses and we distributed them out.
[43:29] We talked to the writers, we did some
[43:30] intercept interviews as well.
[43:33] We also conducted an online community survey.
[43:35] This happened between August and September last year.
[43:38] And we got about 143 total survey
[43:43] responses from this effort.
[43:46] Mostly what we learn is
[43:47] that county ride is important for the rider.
[43:51] Most of the writers that we surveyed,
[43:53] they're pretty much dependent on it to live independently.
[43:55] They use them for all their essential trips related
[43:58] to medical shopping work trips
[44:00] and they do value this particular system.
[44:03] Other than that, we learned different needs,
[44:07] which were more related to service expansion,
[44:09] having a weekend service, having more awareness
[44:13] of the county ride
[44:14] and having some more like clearer information
[44:16] and schedules in the system.
[44:19] And I will kind of go through these issues
[44:23] and needs a little bit in detail.
[44:25] This is what we kind
[44:27] of put together from our existing conditions
[44:29] and public outreach analysis.
[44:31] So basically what we learned was that a lot there,
[44:34] there are some services which are overlapping
[44:37] and we probably need a more streamlined,
[44:39] predictable service, more better
[44:41] coordinated service in the county.
[44:44] We also learned that the service plan is a little bit
[44:46] limited, which could benefit from expanded
[44:49] service hours in the evening.
[44:51] There is more demand for door to door,
[44:54] the demand response service.
[44:55] We also learned that the Eastern Annapolis
[44:57] ridership is declining.
[44:59] The performance was like hitting its
[45:00] lowest point at this point.
[45:02] So we need to come back with some hybrid service models,
[45:06] which could kind of strengthen those regional connections.
[45:10] Then there is a need
[45:12] for more clear rider information in communication,
[45:14] stronger banding visibility of the system, as well as
[45:19] bus stop signage and infrastructure for rider safety.
[45:25] So based on these issues
[45:27] and needs, we put together this five year plan here.
[45:31] So the recommendations are spread across five years.
[45:35] Year one and two are the short term recommendations.
[45:38] So in terms of service modification, so one thing
[45:42] before that is that these recommendations are cost
[45:44] neutral for the short term.
[45:46] So we are proposing restructuring of route one
[45:49] that's the Eastern to start at Kent Narrows Park
[45:52] and right, we would like to establish Kent Narrows Park
[45:55] and right as the main transfer mine for the whole system.
[45:58] So we wanna run Eastern from there.
[46:00] Then Route two county, right?
[46:02] We have proposed a minor route alignments as well
[46:04] as there are some schedule adjustments there so
[46:07] that we can provide more frequency, more consistent headways
[46:10] and more service where people live, like
[46:12] that's on the Kent Island.
[46:14] And then route four is the northern route
[46:18] where we are proposing a flex service,
[46:19] which is a combination of door to door
[46:22] and of fixed route service.
[46:23] So these are the s service modifications.
[46:26] In year two we are looking
[46:27] for more supporting system improvements such
[46:30] as implementing branding and marketing initiatives.
[46:33] One of them is the vehicle branding.
[46:36] We are looking for bus wraps, which will be great
[46:38] for system marketing as well as be able
[46:41] to generate some local revenue as well for the system.
[46:45] We are also looking for electronic head signs.
[46:47] Reason being that right now it is difficult to differentiate
[46:51] between the door-to-door service and the fixed route.
[46:54] Like we found on site that people were confused,
[46:55] they didn't know where the bus is going.
[46:57] So we, there's a need for head signs for the, so
[47:00] that the riders know which bus they need to board right now.
[47:03] They just stop the bus and ask the driver, you know,
[47:05] where which direction is it going
[47:06] or, so that's, that's another thing.
[47:09] Other than that, we are looking for some bus stop
[47:12] and signage improvements
[47:13] and technology improvements
[47:14] to make the system more comfortable for the riders,
[47:18] more accessible, convenient for the midterm.
[47:22] That's for year three and four.
[47:24] We are looking for system expansion
[47:27] related alternatives.
[47:30] So, so we are proposing a Saturday service
[47:32] only for the local route.
[47:33] That's the county right route.
[47:35] We are looking for weekly service hour expansions on county
[47:39] right and eastern route as well, as well as
[47:42] for the door-to-door service.
[47:44] And then another thing that we have the plan is proposing is
[47:48] to launch a Kent Island micro transit pilot just
[47:52] for the weekdays, adding a midday central world return trip
[47:55] to Route four, which is an expansion to, to the flex route
[48:00] that is being proposed in year one.
[48:02] And then the last one
[48:04] that I have here is the Kent Island weekend
[48:07] visitor shuttles.
[48:08] It's more like starting a Saturday service,
[48:11] which is oriented towards the visitors
[48:13] that are there on the Kent Island.
[48:14] It'll be just, it'll just be surveying.
[48:17] Mostly it'll be running on the Kent Islands catering
[48:20] to the visitor needs and making a stop so
[48:22] that it can make a connection
[48:23] with the upcoming ferry from Annapolis.
[48:26] So, so it's kind of oriented towards that.
[48:28] Year four, we are looking at combining Eastern
[48:32] and county right routes to make the service more direct
[48:36] to Eastern and having more service on Kent Island.
[48:39] And we will have another additional bus
[48:41] to connect from Centreville
[48:43] to Kent Island every couple of hours.
[48:45] So this will increase the availability of service as well
[48:48] as the frequency of the service in, in Queen Ends county.
[48:53] And then again, there's an expansion proposed for North
[48:57] northern flex route, depending on the demand, if you know,
[49:00] if it's worth expanding it, I mean, based on that.
[49:03] So year three supporting system improvements are mostly
[49:07] related to technology enhancement, given
[49:09] that we are proposing a micro transit pilot, which will need
[49:14] enhanced technology capabilities for the system.
[49:18] And then we are also proposing to
[49:23] modernize the technology for demand response so that the,
[49:28] the transit agency has more option
[49:30] of providing same day trips or maybe a day advance.
[49:34] Right now a rider has to reserve
[49:39] their rights two days in advance.
[49:41] So to give them or provide them more flexibility
[49:43] with reservations, I think
[49:45] we are proposing this technology enhancement as well.
[49:49] Year five is mostly long term.
[49:51] We are looking at expanding the micro transit depending on
[49:54] how it performs in its initial phase two Saturdays.
[49:58] And then also expanding the northern flex route
[50:01] to all five days a week.
[50:04] So, so these are the recommendations from the plan
[50:08] and the operating cost associated
[50:11] with these implementation are here.
[50:14] So for first two years, fiscal year 2027
[50:17] and 2028, as I mentioned previously, these are cost neutral.
[50:21] So we, so it's, it's,
[50:23] it's just about over $1.8 million.
[50:26] This is the projected budget for the existing service.
[50:29] So we, so we are keeping that
[50:31] and with a 3% inflationary in increase each year.
[50:36] So there are no additional expenses
[50:39] of making those service
[50:40] modifications in the first two years.
[50:42] Then for fiscal year 2029 in 2030,
[50:45] we are looking at major expansions in the routes, you know,
[50:49] proposing we proposed the new micro transit pilots,
[50:52] the visitor shuttle, so the associated expenses are
[50:56] just over half million for your 2029.
[50:59] And then for 2030 there are about six,
[51:01] $673,000 that year.
[51:04] And for fiscal year 2031, we are looking at $814,000
[51:09] additional cost of implementing the expansions proposed.
[51:14] So at this point we are assuming that the state
[51:19] and federal funding will remain the same.
[51:21] So we are looking at these expenses
[51:24] through the local revenue to be funded by the,
[51:29] by the local funding At this point,
[51:32] and again, just to, I'm almost done with the presentation,
[51:36] but something I would like to say that
[51:40] all these options are in the plan.
[51:41] There are several options. We could be a bit aggressive
[51:44] about proposing so many things, but with time
[51:47] and with changing priorities,
[51:50] these recommendations can be moved around or shuffled.
[51:54] And so the best thing is that they are in the plan
[51:57] and they could be justified for any future funding
[51:59] that comes about.
[52:01] And if there's a new, for example, there's a new
[52:04] grant opportunity that you see a federal grant opportunity,
[52:07] you have that in your plan.
[52:09] You have a justification of why you want to apply for it.
[52:12] So, so that's why this plan is really important for,
[52:15] for the, for the county, for the, for the agency.
[52:19] The last few slides, I'll quickly run through
[52:22] how these recommendations they look like at ground level,
[52:26] just some visuals of, for the short term improvements,
[52:29] which are more kind of related to schedule changes
[52:33] and minor alignment changes.
[52:35] They are most, they are covering, they, they're basically
[52:39] what exists right now.
[52:41] They, they cover the entire county as it is,
[52:43] as it is right now.
[52:46] Then the midterm, you can see there's an
[52:51] addition of the Kent Island micro transit on the top
[52:56] of the screen, if you can see there's a little zone there,
[52:58] a micro transits zone in Kent Island.
[52:59] That's what we are proposing, covering Stevensville,
[53:02] Chester and Cannes area.
[53:06] And then on my next screen there's this
[53:10] weekend visitor shuttle that we are proposing to add.
[53:15] And then for the last year, that's a long term improvement.
[53:19] It's, it's mostly for the weekend service, kind
[53:22] of expanding the micro transit zone,
[53:24] micro transit service over to the weekends.
[53:28] So, well, so with this plan we intend to strengthen
[53:33] and simplify the existing service.
[53:35] We just, we want to make sure that, that the riders,
[53:37] they're able to understand the system, it's easier for them
[53:40] to navigate and we are able to modernize them,
[53:45] their experience
[53:47] and we are able to make those connections, regional,
[53:49] local connections well
[53:51] and we want to position county right to grow ridership
[53:53] as funding becomes available.
[53:55] So, yeah.
[53:56] So w with that I think I would like to back to Steve.
[54:03] Alright,
[54:12] So what I'd like to talk to you about is eliminating our
[54:15] fixed route to Annapolis
[54:16] and switching to a door to door route.
[54:19] This sheet here shows you, on average
[54:22] for the last fiscal year, we've been averaging five
[54:24] to six riders a day.
[54:25] On that route, it costs roughly $222
[54:30] to run that route every day.
[54:32] So the per person to route ratio is, is pretty high.
[54:36] Where our door to door service is about
[54:38] $32 for a total ride.
[54:41] So that's like $16 for each way.
[54:44] We'd like to switch to a Tuesday Thursday medical only
[54:48] to start out with, to see, see if we can push our ridership
[54:52] that way for the Annapolis way, MTA still does have a bus
[54:56] that comes in the morning and in the, in the evening
[54:59] that could get people across the bridge if they have to
[55:02] every day Monday through Friday.
[55:05] So there's still a way to get over there on a daily basis.
[55:08] It's just early in the morning
[55:09] and late, late in the, in the afternoon.
[55:13] Most of our riders in Annapolis don't live in our county.
[55:17] They are people that come from Easton
[55:19] and they just catch connectors across or vice versa.
[55:26] This here will help our county residents
[55:28] because they give 'em the medical needs to get to get our,
[55:30] we get asked a lot and we take 'em, you know,
[55:33] but it's, it's very few.
[55:34] I mean we go to the hospital every day
[55:37] and take people, you know,
[55:39] it's usually maybe one a day at most, but if we advertise it
[55:43] and we can really work on it.
[55:45] Our Eastern medical we do Monday, Wednesday, Friday
[55:47] and it's usually got 10 to 12 people every day
[55:50] or you know, every three days.
[55:53] With that we could also open dialysis up
[55:55] in, in Indianapolis.
[55:56] Yep. Which we've never done,
[55:59] but there is a dialysis over there.
[56:02] I know the county talking to
[56:06] people at the health department, they wanna try
[56:08] to get one in Queen s county 'cause they call us up
[56:10] and ask us what our numbers are right now going
[56:12] to Chester County, Easton.
[56:14] So I think moving forward, if we could,
[56:16] if we could make this happen, we have
[56:18] to start a 30 day period for public comments through,
[56:21] you know, MTA rules for, for our funding.
[56:26] But I think we all, we get more funding
[56:29] for the more riders we get
[56:32] and I think with eliminating the fixed route to Annapolis
[56:35] and the small number, we can move those drivers to door
[56:37] to door and open our door to door up more
[56:39] and get more riders that way.
[56:42] So ultimately I think this would be a more benefit to,
[56:45] to our residents and a more benefit to financially.
[56:50] And what is the state funding chief?
[56:51] Excuse me? What is the state funding?
[56:53] State funding is is, it used to be a, a set amount,
[56:56] but now we're all based on ridership.
[56:59] That's why we went fair free in in 2023
[57:02] 'cause we knew that was coming
[57:03] and we had to get our ridership up.
[57:09] We know what we got this year or anticipated.
[57:13] We're probably going to for, for the calendar year 26,
[57:15] we're probably gonna hit about 38,000 rides back in 2022.
[57:19] We were at 12,000 rides. So you can see how far we've grown.
[57:23] I meant, I meant financially,
[57:26] Financially we're, we're gonna come in at 1.8, you know,
[57:28] 8 million for our budget
[57:30] and about a third of that comes from the state.
[57:32] And then another bid comes from federal.
[57:34] Federal is what gets adjusted the most state.
[57:38] They passed a law a couple years ago that we have to get,
[57:40] the state has to put up the same amount of money every year.
[57:43] But the federal funding is what fluctuates the most for us.
[57:47] And we're kind of a unique county
[57:50] because we have both rural and urban.
[57:51] So we get two fundings. We get a 53 0 7 and a 53 11.
[57:57] So we're, we're one of the only few counties that get that.
[58:05] That it. Yes. Any question? Any other question?
[58:11] Go ahead. So, so with the Annapolis thing
[58:15] that would be slightly separate
[58:16] with doing a 30 day public comment period,
[58:19] we did wanna mention it to you today
[58:21] for our proposal in case you did have any questions
[58:24] or concerns on that one as we get ready to start
[58:27] that 30 day public comment period.
[58:30] And then we would ask if you're able to adopt the
[58:35] TDP, which is the transit development plan as presented
[58:38] by Rdy today, that would be our goal to move forward
[58:42] with that five year plan.
[58:43] And again, that is to adopt the plan,
[58:46] but it doesn't guarantee we're going to move forward
[58:49] with anything official until each year were to come.
[58:52] Then we would look at the budget and finances.
[58:54] But by having it in that five year plan, it does allow us to
[58:59] apply for future grant funding for those projects.
[59:02] Whereas if it wasn't in the plan,
[59:04] then we wouldn't be able to apply for it.
[59:07] Alright, I'll move to adopt the Queen Annes County Rye
[59:10] Transportation Development plan as presented by KFH
[59:14] and the Queen of County Department of Aging
[59:16] and Transportation on this 21st day of September, 2026.
[59:23] Second, I got a motion and a second.
[59:25] Any further discussion?
[59:27] I'd just like to see more financials.
[59:30] Okay, sure. Yeah. What was your, what was the question?
[59:35] It Wasn't a question, it was a statement I just said
[59:37] I'd like to see more financials.
[59:39] Oh, you know what, what, what are if,
[59:43] if the state's a third, I'd like to know
[59:45] what the federal government is.
[59:47] I'd like to know if there's any other grants available
[59:49] that we can apply for and what's it gonna cost us, you know?
[59:54] Yep. Good work. Okay. We have a motion in a second.
[59:59] There's no further discussion.
[1:00:00] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:00:04] So moved. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you all. Thank you.
[1:00:09] Need a separate motion for the 30.
[1:00:14] Okay. Alright. Alright. Thank you.
[1:00:17] All good presentation. Very good, thank you.
[1:00:22] Alright, commissioners.
[1:00:23] Next we have, we have two public hearings under our
[1:00:26] legislative portion of the agenda.
[1:00:29] First up we have a public hearing for a private
[1:00:31] to public road upgrade project
[1:00:33] for Cecil Road in Kent Island Estates.
[1:00:36] I'm gonna make a, a motion
[1:00:38] to authorize Commissioner Christopher Corino
[1:00:40] to conduct tonight's hearings on behalf
[1:00:42] of the Queen Anns County Commissioners in light of the
[1:00:46] passing of Pat Town.
[1:00:48] Second, Both yours.
[1:00:51] Alright, we have a motion to second all those in favor?
[1:00:56] Aye. Aye. Opposed? So moved.
[1:00:59] Alright. Aye.
[1:01:01] Mess this up. Stephanie's gonna tell me, she said
[1:01:03] so I'll do my best.
[1:01:06] Okay. Notice of public hearing the Queen County,
[1:01:09] the County Commissioners of Queenland County, Maryland.
[1:01:12] The County Commissioners of Queen Anne County will hold a
[1:01:15] public hearing on September 21st at 6:00 PM at the Liberty
[1:01:19] Building, 1 0 7 North Liberty Street, Centerville,
[1:01:22] Maryland 2 1 6 1 7 for the purpose of consideration
[1:01:25] of the adoption of Cecil Road.
[1:01:27] Special assessment charges for road construction.
[1:01:30] The purpose of those special assessment charges is
[1:01:34] to provide an equitable method of distributing the cost
[1:01:37] of constructing an eight inch gravel based course,
[1:01:41] a triple surface treatment surface course,
[1:01:43] and associated drainage s swes
[1:01:45] for Cecil Road from Route eight to 1 32 Cecil Road.
[1:01:48] To the benefit the benefited property owners,
[1:01:52] the total estimated cost
[1:01:53] of the proposed construction is $115,000.
[1:01:57] Property owners shall be assessed on a per property owner
[1:02:00] basis of the total actual projected costs.
[1:02:04] The affected property includes all lots,
[1:02:07] which abut the AFO mentioned roads.
[1:02:09] Accepting those lots which currently abut
[1:02:12] and take access from an existing county or state road.
[1:02:15] The total project cost, including all engineering,
[1:02:18] construction, and interest on funds borrowed
[1:02:20] to finance the construction property owners will have the
[1:02:23] option of paying their assessment via one of the following.
[1:02:26] Estimated prepay repayment plans a single payment
[1:02:30] of $5,476
[1:02:33] or annually for 20 years of $385.
[1:02:38] The annual payment option is computed with an interest rate
[1:02:41] of 3.5% per annum.
[1:02:44] Persons who wish to make comment on the proposed special
[1:02:46] assessment may do so at the hearing.
[1:02:48] Speakers will be limited to three minutes each,
[1:02:50] but written testimony of any length may
[1:02:52] be submitted before the hearing.
[1:02:54] To the Director of Public Works, three 12 Safety Drive,
[1:02:57] Centerville, Maryland 2 1 6 1 7.
[1:02:59] Any questions prior to the hearing date may be directed
[1:03:02] to r Shane Moore pe.
[1:03:03] Chief Rhodes engineer at the Department
[1:03:06] of Public Works at 4 1 0 7 5 8 0 9 2 0.
[1:03:10] All hearing sites are accessible
[1:03:11] to individuals with disabilities.
[1:03:13] Sign language interpreters
[1:03:14] and assistive listening, listening systems will be available
[1:03:17] for individuals with hearing impairments.
[1:03:20] Please contact Beverly Churchill at 4 1 0 7 5 8 4 4 0 6
[1:03:24] or at be churchill@qac.org seven days
[1:03:28] before the hearing date.
[1:03:29] To arrange for any reasonable accommodations
[1:03:31] for individuals with disabilities.
[1:03:34] You may watch the hearing for Cecil Road Public Hearing,
[1:03:37] live on the county website@qectv.com.
[1:03:40] facebook.com/qe CTV youtube.com/qtv
[1:03:46] or at the QE CTVs television channel
[1:03:48] provided by Breeze Line Cable Services live.
[1:03:50] Zoom Comments can be given by going to qac.org.
[1:03:55] Public comment on the county website,
[1:03:58] email comments can be sent to public.
[1:04:00] comment@queenatqac.org
[1:04:03] and will be summarized during the hearing.
[1:04:05] We will accept public comments until the end of the hearing.
[1:04:09] Citizens are asked to submit all other written testimony
[1:04:11] to the county commissioners
[1:04:13] by mail at 1 0 7 North Liberty Street, Centerville,
[1:04:16] Maryland 2 1 6 1 7, or by email at QAC commissioners
[1:04:20] and administrator@qac.org.
[1:04:24] This legal ad ran in the Bay Times
[1:04:26] and record observer on November, sorry,
[1:04:30] September 11th, 2026 and September 18th, 26.
[1:04:35] And this is, we have the certificate of publication.
[1:04:40] All right. Nobody has signed up for the hearing.
[1:04:44] Is there anybody who wishes to be
[1:04:45] heard? Anybody online?
[1:04:50] No. Alright, we'll close that
[1:04:55] and for two, two weeks keep the record open
[1:04:59] and do we go from here?
[1:05:00] Alright, I'm sorry. One, yeah,
[1:05:06] Come on up.
[1:05:07] We'll get you to the mic. Sure.
[1:05:17] Hi, good evening. My name's Edwin.
[1:05:19] I'm one of the owners on Cecil Road.
[1:05:23] Just here to say that the road
[1:05:27] is a little narrow, it'd be best for the county
[1:05:30] to take it over to help with.
[1:05:34] Now we have potholes and,
[1:05:36] and issues with cars coming in and out.
[1:05:40] It'd be best now that we don't have a road association
[1:05:43] to help with, even though it's a small road
[1:05:47] with snow, snow removal
[1:05:49] and fixing of these potholes
[1:05:50] that eventually are gonna get worse.
[1:05:52] Now it'd be best to just be able to go ahead
[1:05:56] and let the county help take care of it
[1:05:58] and us take care of the calls so that way
[1:06:03] our kids and everybody that goes up
[1:06:05] and down the street can enjoy a better road
[1:06:08] and be able to access it without any problem
[1:06:10] and any issues leaning forward.
[1:06:14] So thank you. Thank you,
[1:06:15] Thank you.
[1:06:16] Thank you.
[1:06:19] I guess let me just so those who don't understand what,
[1:06:22] what this hearing is about.
[1:06:23] So when you buy a house in Queens County
[1:06:25] and you're like in a new subdivision,
[1:06:27] the developer is building the roads up to county standards
[1:06:30] and they give 'em over.
[1:06:31] And the people who buy those new houses are paying
[1:06:33] for those roads when they buy a brand new house that's built
[1:06:36] a lot of the subdivisions of Queens County were built
[1:06:39] before we had that process.
[1:06:41] And so they have, what a really, I guess, private roads,
[1:06:44] although the public can traverse over those,
[1:06:46] those private roads tend to be narrower.
[1:06:48] They're had to be paid for by the homeowners.
[1:06:50] The county does not take care of those roads.
[1:06:53] So there is a process where the individuals on those streets
[1:06:57] can petition for their road to become a public road.
[1:07:00] And in order to do that, we have
[1:07:01] to have all of these hearings.
[1:07:03] And then everybody who owns a property on that road has
[1:07:06] to pay for that road to be upgraded.
[1:07:08] So if it's a hundred thousand dollars
[1:07:10] and there's 10 houses on it,
[1:07:11] it's a hundred thousand divided by 10.
[1:07:13] And we can, we can, they can pay either at once
[1:07:15] or over a period of time.
[1:07:17] So that's what this hearing is for, is to allow the people
[1:07:20] who live on Cecil Road to speak.
[1:07:22] There's been prior meetings
[1:07:23] with them and informational meetings.
[1:07:24] This is not the first time, but anybody up here who has not
[1:07:28] familiar with what that is, that's what that is.
[1:07:30] And we've already had meetings down at the, at the firehouse
[1:07:35] for folks for Cecil Road to ask questions.
[1:07:39] Did I get that right Shane? Think?
[1:07:40] Yes. We, we have had the,
[1:07:42] a letter has gone out in January of 2026.
[1:07:45] We had an information meeting January, 2026.
[1:07:48] The same information verbatim is in the
[1:07:50] same presentation tonight.
[1:07:51] A registered letter went out to all property,
[1:07:53] all 21 property owners earlier this month
[1:07:56] of the 21 3 were returned that were not gathered
[1:08:00] by the property owner.
[1:08:02] And plus it was advertised in the local paper as you read.
[1:08:05] So they're very, hopefully
[1:08:06] they're very well aware of the project.
[1:08:08] Yes. And so then the meeting will be,
[1:08:10] the vote will be at the two weeks?
[1:08:12] Yes, sir. And I, if it's voted in favor at that time,
[1:08:14] it the, the county takes over
[1:08:16] the road at that point in time.
[1:08:18] At that vote, we will take over the road
[1:08:20] and we will begin design and plan for construction.
[1:08:23] We will maintain the road as is,
[1:08:25] but input a little better condition grading snow removal
[1:08:29] services, potholes, little drainage work while we do the
[1:08:32] full design and prior to construction we will maintain it,
[1:08:35] Right?
[1:08:36] Yes. Okay. Number two.
[1:08:41] Alright.
[1:08:44] Notice of public hearing at the regular meeting on
[1:08:48] September 8th, 2026,
[1:08:49] commissioner Wilson introduced county ordinance number 26
[1:08:52] dash 16 a bill entitled an act concerning the level
[1:08:55] of service standard for high schools under the Queen Anne
[1:08:58] County, adequate public facilities ordinance
[1:09:00] for this purpose of increasing the level
[1:09:02] of service standards for high schools under the Queen Anne
[1:09:05] County, adequate public facilities ordinance chapter 28
[1:09:08] of the code of public Loss of Queen Anne County to 110%
[1:09:12] of the state rated capacity
[1:09:14] by amending section 28 dash seven C1
[1:09:19] of the code of Public Laws of Queen County.
[1:09:22] The county commissioners of Queen County hereby give notice
[1:09:24] that a public hearing will be held on the ordinance on
[1:09:27] Monday, September 21st, 2026 at 6:05 PM
[1:09:31] in the Queen Anne County Commissioner's meeting room,
[1:09:33] the Liberty Building 1 0 7 North Liberty
[1:09:36] Street, Centerville, Maryland.
[1:09:37] Copies of the proposed ordinance may be obtained
[1:09:39] by the county com at the County Commissioner's Office at
[1:09:42] 1 0 7 North Liberty Street, Centerville,
[1:09:44] Maryland 2 1 6 1 7 prior to the hearing, during the hours
[1:09:47] of 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
[1:09:49] or online@www.qac.org,
[1:09:53] speakers will be limited to three minutes.
[1:09:55] Each written testimony of any length may be submitted on or
[1:09:58] before the hearing date to the county commissioners at 1 0 7
[1:10:01] North Liberty Street, several Maryland 2 1 6 1 7.
[1:10:03] All hearing sites are accessible to the individuals
[1:10:06] with disabilities sign,
[1:10:07] inter sign language interpreters and assisted living.
[1:10:10] SI listening systems will be available
[1:10:13] for individuals with disabilities.
[1:10:14] If any such assistance is necessary, please contact Ms.
[1:10:18] Beverly Churchill at 4 1 0 7 5 8 4 4 0 6
[1:10:22] or TDD 4 1 0 7 5 8 2 1 2 6 at least seven days
[1:10:27] before the scheduled hearing.
[1:10:30] I have the certificate of publication here.
[1:10:31] This legal ad ran in the Bay Times
[1:10:34] and record observer on September 11th, 2026
[1:10:37] and September 18th, 2026.
[1:10:41] There is nobody who is signed up to speak.
[1:10:44] Is there anybody here who wishes to speak
[1:10:47] for county ordinance 26 dash 16 a PO amendment.
[1:10:56] Alright, we'll close this one also
[1:10:58] and we'll give it two weeks to the next commission meeting.
[1:11:05] How I do, Stephanie? Okay, fantastic. Perfect. Perfect.
[1:11:08] Thank you Commissioner Corley.
[1:11:09] Appreciate that you kick me out. All
[1:11:13] Right, commissioners.
[1:11:14] Continuing with our legislative agenda here this evening.
[1:11:16] Items 3, 4, 5,
[1:11:18] and six are all citizen sponsored text amendments
[1:11:21] that actually began back in February,
[1:11:23] admitted the planning commission to the commissioners.
[1:11:26] They were amended by the commissioners back
[1:11:27] to the planning commissioners and they were all four back
[1:11:29] here in front of the, this board here this evening.
[1:11:32] They are ready for scheduling of a public hearing.
[1:11:36] So we can want me to go through these individually
[1:11:38] or would you like to just go
[1:11:39] Ahead?
[1:11:40] I I was gonna make a bulk motion to send That's fine. All
[1:11:41] To public Hearing.
[1:11:42] Okay. Yeah, so, so I
[1:11:46] guess we gotta go back and read 'em all there.
[1:11:51] So for, make a motion to schedule for a public hearing
[1:11:56] for county ordinance number 26 0 5
[1:12:01] amendment number one county ordinance number 26 0 6
[1:12:05] amendment number one
[1:12:08] count ordinance 26 0 9
[1:12:12] with amendment number one
[1:12:14] and 26 10 with amendment number one second.
[1:12:20] We have a motion to second. Any discussion? Seeing none.
[1:12:24] All those in favor sign I. Aye.
[1:12:26] Aye. Aye. Opposed? Abstain. So moved. Alright,
[1:12:30] Thank you commissioners.
[1:12:32] Item number seven is county ordinance number 26 14.
[1:12:35] This was sponsored by the county commissioners.
[1:12:38] It's on pages 75 through 92
[1:12:40] and this is for cottage industries.
[1:12:43] And the objective of this text amendment is to allow
[1:12:46] for a cottage industry
[1:12:47] as a supplemental use within the Ag District on parcels
[1:12:50] with a minimum of five acres in size.
[1:12:52] And that will require an administrative review consisting
[1:12:55] of an approval of a minor site plan and a use certificate.
[1:12:58] Those provide for limitations on the site type
[1:13:01] and size of businesses and screenings.
[1:13:03] So all of these standards are to limit nuisance nuisances
[1:13:07] and foster way to meet the intent
[1:13:08] and purposes of the Ag District.
[1:13:10] So this is ready for actually could be introduced this
[1:13:13] evening and also scheduled
[1:13:15] for a public hearing if you so choose.
[1:13:17] I introduce county ordinance 26 14
[1:13:20] and make a motion to schedule it for a public hearing.
[1:13:22] Second. All those in favor a Aye.
[1:13:28] Alright, thank you commissioners.
[1:13:30] And our last item for legislative legislation this evening
[1:13:33] is the planning commission sponsored county
[1:13:36] ordinance number 26 15.
[1:13:37] This is for accessory dwelling units, our ADU
[1:13:42] and this proposed text amendment is in response
[1:13:44] to state legislation, which requires
[1:13:46] that local entities adopt regulations authorizing the
[1:13:48] development of accessory dwelling units.
[1:13:51] By October 1st, 2026, this was a result
[1:13:54] of House Bill 1466 Senate Bill 8 91
[1:13:58] mandating ADUs be permitted in any zoning district
[1:14:01] with which permits single family detached dwellings.
[1:14:05] This also can be introduced
[1:14:07] and scheduled for a public hearing.
[1:14:09] I will introduce county ordinance 26 15
[1:14:12] and make a motion to schedule a public hearing.
[1:14:15] Second. All those in favor? Aye. Aye.
[1:14:21] All right. Thank you Commissioners.
[1:14:22] That is all of the legislative items for this evening.
[1:14:26] Next we have the Department of Public Works.
[1:14:28] We have four items there.
[1:14:31] Actually these are for the Roads board, so if you want to
[1:14:34] address the Roads board, that'd be great.
[1:14:36] Four. Motion OUS Roads. Second.
[1:14:39] Okay, everyone Tab two.
[1:14:40] Item one, pages one through seven favor
[1:14:42] Excuse.
[1:14:43] Aye. He gets so excited. You gotta let get there.
[1:14:47] You gotta let us get there. Okay.
[1:14:51] You ready? Yes sir. Alright.
[1:14:53] This is under tab two, item one, pages one through seven.
[1:14:55] This is the FOY 20 27 20 29 Hot Nicks asphalt program.
[1:15:00] I know Roads engineer Shane Moore is here somewhere,
[1:15:03] but the Roads division hereby is requesting $1.46 million in
[1:15:07] additional funding to award the FY 27
[1:15:10] hot mix asphalt resurfacing program
[1:15:12] to David a bramble under their pre-established government
[1:15:16] contract for approximately 5.5 miles
[1:15:18] of roads this fiscal year as part
[1:15:20] of a larger three year plan covering over
[1:15:23] 15 miles of roadway.
[1:15:25] And we deferred this project as part
[1:15:28] of the FY 27 budget in order
[1:15:32] to balance the budget in looking
[1:15:34] for some additional savings from last fiscal year,
[1:15:36] fiscal 26, that savings has been realized.
[1:15:39] So we are now in position to
[1:15:41] recommend approval of this contract.
[1:15:45] I move that we approve FY 2027 hot mix asphalt overlay
[1:15:49] program to David, a bramble incorporated
[1:15:50] of Chestertown Mellon using pre-established state highway
[1:15:53] administration's mill slash grind patch
[1:15:56] and resurface roadway pavements in various locations.
[1:15:58] And Queen Annes County contract number XQ
[1:16:01] 9 1 7 5 3 7 7 FAP number AC
[1:16:07] S-T-B-G-N-H-P-P dash 0 0 0 B
[1:16:12] 8 58 E in the amount
[1:16:14] of $1,462,655.
[1:16:18] Second. Second. Okay, we got a motion. Second.
[1:16:21] Can you read that backwards One time? That's it.
[1:16:24] This one includes some of the roads in Queens Colony.
[1:16:27] We had gotten an email about
[1:16:28] Yes, this, this include includes roadway maintenance
[1:16:32] that was deferred as a result of the rebate sewer project
[1:16:35] and includes resurfacing the roads in Queen Colony.
[1:16:41] Motion to second. Any other discussion? Seeing none.
[1:16:44] All those in favor signify saying aye. Aye.
[1:16:46] Opposed? So moved.
[1:16:48] Okay, thank you commissioners.
[1:16:50] Item number two, all on pages eight through 14.
[1:16:54] This is the, we have several pieces of equipment here.
[1:16:56] Next up, systematic replacement of fleet equipment.
[1:17:00] First up we have six wheel dump trucks.
[1:17:02] Can I get a motion on that?
[1:17:04] I move to purchase the two Freightliner
[1:17:09] 10 85 d plus six wheel dump trucks
[1:17:12] with snowplows from National Auto Fleet Group
[1:17:15] of Watsonville, California
[1:17:17] and the amount of $526,202 via the
[1:17:22] existing source of contract.
[1:17:23] 0 3 2 8 2 4 dash ED a l
[1:17:29] Second.
[1:17:30] We have a motion to second Any discussion?
[1:17:32] Just real quick, Jim, I, if Shane could explain, a lot
[1:17:35] of people don't understand what source well is
[1:17:37] and why we're buying trucks from
[1:17:38] California and how that works.
[1:17:40] Could you just give a real quick Reader's digest of
[1:17:42] what source well is and how benefits the county
[1:17:44] to have these pre-negotiated contracts?
[1:17:46] Why would we buy something from California?
[1:17:48] Why wouldn't buy something from California? Right, exactly.
[1:17:50] Source. Well, originally was called the NJPA
[1:17:54] and we started working with them about 10 years ago
[1:17:56] to piggyback on existing contracts.
[1:17:58] They are a national sort of fleet equipment provider of
[1:18:04] Procured bids that go out
[1:18:06] and competitive bid bids that all over the country.
[1:18:09] We purchased from the National Auto Fleet group
[1:18:13] before from Watson, California for just for a pickup truck.
[1:18:17] But it's one of those things where it's,
[1:18:18] it's sourced locally, but the contract goes
[1:18:20] through much larger company that bid on this and they,
[1:18:23] and they just use their fixed price.
[1:18:25] And we've, over the last 10 years, we purchased almost all
[1:18:28] of our equipment through them.
[1:18:30] And that's a very common thing throughout the United States.
[1:18:32] I believe it started in, don't hold me to it,
[1:18:34] but believe it started in Michigan
[1:18:36] where it originally started, but it's
[1:18:38] commonly used everywhere now
[1:18:40] And what it, but it keeps it from being subject to
[1:18:43] huge tariff fluctuations and things like we're seeing now.
[1:18:46] You don't see those huge jumps if you were to just go out.
[1:18:48] I believe there are tariff adjustments in these
[1:18:51] Bids, but they're minimal compared to going
[1:18:53] to the local Ford dealership
[1:18:55] and trying to buy this truck tomorrow
[1:18:57] That I cannot attest to. I
[1:18:59] I see Steve's head over there shaking so I know, I know it
[1:19:03] 'cause I live in the source wall world, so I I do know
[1:19:05] that those fixed prices definitely save you
[1:19:07] a lot of money over long haul.
[1:19:08] Yeah, we do see the tariff adjustments in here.
[1:19:10] It's, it's sort of similar to anything with asphalt or fuel.
[1:19:14] There's always an escalators involved to adjust
[1:19:16] as as the market changes.
[1:19:19] Okay. Any other discussions? Seeing none.
[1:19:22] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:19:25] So moved. Alright, commissioners
[1:19:27] Item number three on pages 15 through 22.
[1:19:29] This is a systematic replacement of fleet equipment
[1:19:32] for a front end loader.
[1:19:33] Caterpillar 9 26. Can I get a motion on that one?
[1:19:37] I move to purchase one Caterpillar 9 2 6 dash 14 a
[1:19:41] wheel loader with a 2.25 cubic yard bucket
[1:19:45] and a 12 foot hydraulic diagonal plow
[1:19:48] and flared v plow from Carter Machinery Company,
[1:19:51] a Felton Delaware and the amount of $281,809
[1:19:56] via the existing source contract number
[1:19:59] 0 1 1 7 2 3 CAT
[1:20:02] and I moved to purchase the one four
[1:20:06] F 4 51 ton crew cab dump truck
[1:20:09] with nine foot snowplow from all roads trucks
[1:20:12] of upper marble Maryland in the amount
[1:20:13] of $124,316 via the existing Howard County contract.
[1:20:18] 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 4 6.
[1:20:22] This was smaller. Hmm?
[1:20:24] You got a lot of smaller contracts. Second, that's,
[1:20:27] I can find them for You.
[1:20:28] Okay, we got a motion and a second.
[1:20:30] Any discussion on these items? Seeing none.
[1:20:32] All those in favor? Seeing five saying aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:20:36] So moved. Thank you.
[1:20:37] Alright, thank you. Commissioners.
[1:20:38] That takes care of three and four.
[1:20:41] That's all we had for the Department
[1:20:42] of Public Works, roads to board.
[1:20:44] So we can move into tab number three
[1:20:46] for the action items for this evening, commissioner.
[1:20:47] So if you wanna turn to tab three, item one,
[1:20:50] pages one through 13.
[1:20:52] First up we have the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board
[1:20:55] Chief Local elected officials agreement for 26 through 2028.
[1:21:00] And this is required under the Workforce Innovation
[1:21:03] and Opportunity Act, defining the partnership
[1:21:05] between the chief local elected official
[1:21:08] and the local workforce development board.
[1:21:11] This agreement outlines collaboration
[1:21:12] and governs for the local workforce area for a period
[1:21:15] of two years, beginning July 1st
[1:21:17] and ending in June 30th, 2028.
[1:21:21] I move to execute the Upper Shore Workforce
[1:21:23] Investment Board agreement.
[1:21:25] Second, we have a motion and a second on this.
[1:21:28] Any discussion? It did have a line item in
[1:21:31] president no matter what.
[1:21:33] You're responsible for the money. Yeah, I read that.
[1:21:35] I said that's nice. Yeah. Alright. Seeing none.
[1:21:38] All those in favor signify by saying Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:21:42] So move.
[1:21:43] Thank you commissioners. Item number two on pages 14
[1:21:46] through 29 is a revised human resources policy
[1:21:50] for drug and alcohol.
[1:21:52] And this essentially adjusts the, the policy for
[1:21:57] fire and rescue public safety employees for the use
[1:21:59] of medical cannabis under certain conditions.
[1:22:04] I move to adopt the revised human resources drug
[1:22:07] and alcohol policy to be effective October 1st, 2026.
[1:22:12] Second, we have a motion
[1:22:14] to second Any discussion on this item?
[1:22:18] See none. All those in favor? I saying aye. Oh, hold on.
[1:22:21] Aye. Oh, did you wanna share anything? Question. Okay.
[1:22:27] She's so astute. Aye,
[1:22:34] it's five Oh already it's good.
[1:22:36] Okay. The train's left. Okay,
[1:22:39] Moving on.
[1:22:40] Commissioners Item three on page 30 we have proclamation
[1:22:42] number 26 26 for suicide prevention month.
[1:22:48] Yeah, you want to come up
[1:22:54] And September is suicide prevention month.
[1:23:02] I can even do the proclamation first.
[1:23:04] And then would you like to do the proclamation first
[1:23:06] or do you want would like to speak
[1:23:08] Or We can do either.
[1:23:10] You can read first. Okay. Yes, please. Great. Thank
[1:23:12] You.
[1:23:13] Alright, well thank you for being here.
[1:23:14] Yes, thank, thank you for having, having,
[1:23:15] we appreciate everything that you do.
[1:23:16] Thank you. Proclamation 26. 26.
[1:23:23] Whereas suicide remains a significant public
[1:23:27] health concern across the United States
[1:23:30] and in Maryland with 48,000 Americans dying by suicide
[1:23:35] in 2024, the most recent available data, an average
[1:23:39] of approximately one life lost every 11 minutes.
[1:23:43] And whereas the impact extends far beyond those deaths
[1:23:47] with an estimated 14.3 million US adults
[1:23:52] reporting serious thoughts of suicide in 2024,
[1:23:56] underscoring the importance of prevention,
[1:23:59] early intervention, and access to mental health support.
[1:24:04] And whereas in Maryland, 630 residents died
[1:24:09] by suicide in 2024.
[1:24:12] That's two a day highlighting the continued need
[1:24:15] for communities across the state
[1:24:17] to strengthen suicide prevention, connection
[1:24:21] and access to healthcare.
[1:24:23] And whereas here in Queen Annes County, the most recent
[1:24:27] Maryland Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance survey
[1:24:31] taken in 2024 found that about one in seven
[1:24:34] or 13%, 13.9%,
[1:24:40] queen Annes County High School students reported seriously
[1:24:43] considering attempting suicide in
[1:24:48] the previous 12 months.
[1:24:49] And 6.6% reported attempting suicide during that period.
[1:24:54] Among middle school students, about one in six
[1:24:58] or 17% reported ever
[1:25:01] seriously considering suicide.
[1:25:03] And one in 16, 16.3% reported
[1:25:09] ever actually attempting to take their own life.
[1:25:13] And whereas suicide prevention is a shared community
[1:25:17] responsibility and connection, open conversation,
[1:25:21] timely intervention and accessible behavioral healthcare
[1:25:25] can help protect lives
[1:25:27] and ensure that people experience emotional distress.
[1:25:30] Do not face it alone.
[1:25:33] Now therefore, we, the county commissioners
[1:25:35] of Queen Annes County do hereby proclaim the month
[1:25:38] of September as no matter
[1:25:40] what you matter suicide prevention month
[1:25:44] and recognize suicide as a significant public health concern
[1:25:49] and affirm suicide prevention
[1:25:51] and mental health support as priorities for our community.
[1:25:54] And encourage every resident
[1:25:56] to help create a community in which people know
[1:25:59] that they matter, that help is available.
[1:26:03] And that asking for support is a sign of strength
[1:26:07] sign Queen Hands, county commissioners,
[1:26:09] and the county administrator.
[1:26:14] It's a tough thing to read. It definitely is.
[1:26:16] It's very difficult. Yes.
[1:26:17] Thank you. Thank you for having us.
[1:26:19] Really briefly, I'm Sydney Tron, I'm the Vice President
[1:26:22] of Advancement and Community Engagement at for All seasons.
[1:26:25] And this is Carly Palmer.
[1:26:27] She is our Assistant Director of Marketing and Outreach.
[1:26:30] And we just wanted to be here to number one, say thank you
[1:26:32] for bringing this to everyone's attention.
[1:26:35] It is certainly an issue
[1:26:36] that we are all facing here on the shore for all seasons.
[1:26:41] Provides therapy, psychiatry, rape crisis,
[1:26:45] and education throughout the shore,
[1:26:47] all five counties on the shore.
[1:26:48] But through our open access
[1:26:50] and telehealth, we actually have clients in every single
[1:26:53] Maryland jurisdiction in the state.
[1:26:56] And so currently our,
[1:26:59] we have a very small office here in Queen Annes County on LA
[1:27:02] Canoe Circle, but by the end of this fiscal year,
[1:27:07] we are hoping to be moving to a larger office
[1:27:09] and doubling our clinical capacity.
[1:27:12] We will be taking over the former vs.
[1:27:13] A office space at the mar at the marina.
[1:27:18] And for all of you who aren't familiar with VMs a
[1:27:22] that was the Veteran and Military Service Alliance.
[1:27:25] We have been working with them for years
[1:27:27] and providing all of their therapy and psychiatric support
[1:27:31] and some of their psychoeducational groups.
[1:27:35] But when they decided to close their doors, we knew
[1:27:38] that it was something that couldn't go away.
[1:27:40] And so we have taken all of those services on
[1:27:43] and actually expanded our services to meet the needs
[1:27:46] of the veteran community.
[1:27:48] You know, our team at
[1:27:49] for all seasons is working on this issue every day
[1:27:54] from prevention to early identification to intervention
[1:27:57] and support after a loss.
[1:27:59] So whether we're working with our new first responder,
[1:28:03] peer support program, queen Ann, queen Ann Rise,
[1:28:07] and going in and helping with trauma debriefings
[1:28:09] after a tough situation
[1:28:10] or going into the schools when a child has taken their life.
[1:28:14] Sometimes it's a, it's a sports team
[1:28:17] and we're working with the teammates and the coaches
[1:28:19] and sometimes it's just the community at large,
[1:28:22] but we are boots on the ground when those times happen.
[1:28:26] But we're also working to, to work on the intervention piece
[1:28:31] from an outreach and marketing standpoint,
[1:28:33] but also making sure that people know
[1:28:35] that they have a place to turn.
[1:28:38] This is suicide prevention month.
[1:28:40] And so there are a few things that,
[1:28:41] that Carly can let you know about
[1:28:43] that we're doing in the community. Yes.
[1:28:44] So we have some free events coming up
[1:28:46] for our community on September 30th.
[1:28:49] We're having a lunch and Learn on Calm,
[1:28:52] which is counseling on access to lethal means.
[1:28:56] So it focuses on how to have difficult conversations
[1:28:58] and create time and distance
[1:29:00] between someone experiencing a suicidal crisis
[1:29:03] and access to lethal means such as firearms,
[1:29:05] medications, and alcohol.
[1:29:08] We also have a free online resource for teens
[1:29:10] and the adults who support them.
[1:29:13] It's a new video series called Real Talk
[1:29:15] Conversations That Save Lives.
[1:29:17] So this was created to assist local youth
[1:29:20] and identify ways that teens
[1:29:21] and trusted adults can talk about mental health,
[1:29:25] social stress, isolation.
[1:29:27] And the goal is to make these conversations a little easier
[1:29:30] to start and let everyone know
[1:29:31] that they don't have to struggle alone.
[1:29:34] I'd like to say that in your, in your proclamation, you
[1:29:38] made note of everyone has a responsibility.
[1:29:41] And so I think that that's really important takeaway tonight
[1:29:44] is that there's no one in this room who
[1:29:47] can't just have a conversation,
[1:29:49] can't just say, how are you doing?
[1:29:52] This is where you can get help
[1:29:53] and it's okay to, to talk
[1:29:55] to them specifically about suicide.
[1:29:58] Just because you bring the word up doesn't mean
[1:30:00] that's gonna cause it, it sometimes makes it an easier
[1:30:03] conversation and they're more willing to ask for help.
[1:30:07] So we appreciate that, we appreciate all your support in
[1:30:10] bringing this important matter to, to everyone's attention
[1:30:14] because it is certainly something that,
[1:30:17] that we all know too well is happening around us.
[1:30:19] You can also learn more no matter what you matter.org and,
[1:30:23] and get more information about those events
[1:30:25] and courses I was speaking of
[1:30:26] and what we're doing in our community to help.
[1:30:29] And what's your contact number
[1:30:30] for people that I'd like to talk?
[1:30:33] So it's 4 1 0 8 2 2 1 0 1 8
[1:30:37] is our office number.
[1:30:39] On our website you will find our crisis hotlines.
[1:30:41] I do not know them off the top of my head, sorry.
[1:30:43] But they are available on our website
[1:30:45] And they are and they're available 365 days a year.
[1:30:48] 24 hours. Yes.
[1:30:49] Okay. Yes. Thank you so much.
[1:30:51] Can you give us a little bit of an update on the,
[1:30:54] the first responder support team?
[1:30:56] Did you just graduate the second group?
[1:30:58] We did, yes, we did.
[1:31:00] So Talbot first started in 2023
[1:31:04] and then Queen Anne's Rise was our next peer support group.
[1:31:07] And we are just finishing a kickoff for Caroline Cares
[1:31:12] and Kent and Dorchester in the are in the queue.
[1:31:15] So what that means is that we go in
[1:31:17] and we work with all of the different agencies,
[1:31:20] sheriff police 9 1 1, operators, corrections
[1:31:24] and fire.
[1:31:26] And so we, we bring those agencies together
[1:31:29] and then different first responders apply
[1:31:33] and train to become peer support.
[1:31:36] So that means that they're there for their peers
[1:31:39] who are struggling or they're also learning how to work
[1:31:43] with people in the community when they go out
[1:31:44] and they have tough calls.
[1:31:47] And in fact, just last week we had our first Hope awards,
[1:31:51] which we look forward to having here in Queen Anne County in
[1:31:54] a couple years where nine different first responders
[1:31:59] were recognized for the work
[1:32:01] that they had done in the community
[1:32:02] and the lives that they had saved during really tough calls.
[1:32:06] And so it's an excellent program.
[1:32:08] And when are we gonna get that?
[1:32:10] Well, you have after a couple of years
[1:32:12] and we get the stories and then we
[1:32:13] come in and we do the awards. So yeah, we'll get
[1:32:15] The stories.
[1:32:16] Yeah.
[1:32:17] Well we look forward to holding the Hope Awards here. So
[1:32:21] When's the app coming for the first responders?
[1:32:24] I, I, I can't answer
[1:32:25] that. I do not know that. You know what,
[1:32:27] Do you know what I'm alluding to?
[1:32:29] I can help you. There you go. There you go.
[1:32:31] You knew you were gonna chime in.
[1:32:36] So we have a app
[1:32:37] that the peer support resources have been put in.
[1:32:41] It's, it is established now.
[1:32:43] And so the, the committee
[1:32:45] that's working on it will be rolling it out
[1:32:47] to all the members this, this fall,
[1:32:50] so probably starting maybe next month.
[1:32:52] So it, it's up, it's ready, it's working.
[1:32:54] And so it's just a matter
[1:32:55] of getting it out to the, the folks.
[1:32:57] So if you could just explain a little bit
[1:33:00] for our audience. Sure.
[1:33:01] So we have really an app to connect anyone
[1:33:05] that needs services to our peer support team members
[1:33:09] and other resources that are available.
[1:33:11] So they need, say for all seasons, we have the information
[1:33:15] of, for all seasons there and other resources.
[1:33:19] So for if they're a county employee, we have county
[1:33:22] resources, so maybe our employee assistance program,
[1:33:26] mental health services that are available
[1:33:27] through our health insurance.
[1:33:30] And then we're growing that volume of resources as well.
[1:33:35] So we have started that.
[1:33:37] But the most important thing is the peer support team
[1:33:39] members' information is there, how they can get ahold
[1:33:42] of them, whether it's by phone, email,
[1:33:45] and so they can pick who they would like to reach out to.
[1:33:49] So maybe it's somebody within their own division
[1:33:52] or maybe in another division.
[1:33:54] So if maybe if they're a law enforcement officer
[1:33:57] and they would like to reach out to maybe somebody in
[1:34:00] emergency services or corrections, they can do that.
[1:34:04] So they can have access to anybody who's been trained
[1:34:07] and that they feel comfortable reaching out to.
[1:34:10] So for those hundreds of
[1:34:14] volunteer fire folks and EMS
[1:34:17] and paid staff, it's completely
[1:34:21] confidential. Completely
[1:34:22] Confidential.
[1:34:23] There's no reporting back to
[1:34:24] Anybody.
[1:34:25] That's right. It doesn't go on your record. Nope.
[1:34:27] Nobody knows about it.
[1:34:29] Your your, your supervisor doesn't
[1:34:32] even have to know about it.
[1:34:34] It's completely confidential. Completely confidential.
[1:34:36] And it's designed that way to your point
[1:34:40] that you're sh you'll share if you're,
[1:34:43] if you're going through a struggling time
[1:34:44] And truly, even before we have the app
[1:34:46] up, it's already working.
[1:34:48] People already are reaching out to the peer support members
[1:34:51] for help even now. Yes.
[1:34:53] Yes. And we'd like to thank Commissioner Wilson for
[1:34:57] being on the FEC and spearheading this and working with,
[1:35:01] They, they did it internally.
[1:35:03] I'm taking no credit for that.
[1:35:04] I just, all I did
[1:35:05] was guide 'em where they needed to be guided.
[1:35:07] They, that was their, their thing they ran with
[1:35:09] and I give 'em all the credit in the world for doing it.
[1:35:11] So a couple more questions.
[1:35:12] You don't get away that easy Are is Vana,
[1:35:18] are, are, are, are veterans getting great care?
[1:35:21] Right? I mean Vana was a, it wasn't just for
[1:35:26] mental health issues, it was for benefit issues, it was
[1:35:30] for paperwork issues, it was for Fred would know, you know,
[1:35:34] sometimes it's really tough for veterans to ask for help
[1:35:39] and then to go through the system
[1:35:42] of the grinding of the government. So
[1:35:45] We have, we have expanded our services
[1:35:47] and we now include those services.
[1:35:49] Correct. Right. It is not something we had ever done before,
[1:35:52] but we are doing that now.
[1:35:54] And Lee Ellingson who was
[1:35:55] with AMSA is now with Four Seasons.
[1:35:58] Oh great. Great.
[1:35:59] Well, commissioner Moran was very instrumental
[1:36:04] as were the rest of the commissioners
[1:36:05] in, in getting that done.
[1:36:07] Last thing I'm putting you on the spot about,
[1:36:12] well two things for services in our schools.
[1:36:17] How can we get mental health specialists
[1:36:21] through your company into our high schools?
[1:36:24] Again, not a question
[1:36:25] that I can answer sitting right here.
[1:36:26] We have had our most recent person,
[1:36:31] a clinician who was in the schools, has retired.
[1:36:34] And so I know that it is in the works
[1:36:36] and they're, they're trying to figure out
[1:36:38] how we're gonna get somebody in there. And
[1:36:41] That was one school, right?
[1:36:43] That was one. Okay. What
[1:36:44] About the other truth than one?
[1:36:46] How about the other one? I don't know. Okay.
[1:36:48] I don't know who answer to that. But you let us know.
[1:36:49] I mean, I know that's certainly a plan.
[1:36:51] We have been in the schools in Kent County for a number
[1:36:54] of years and we are expanding into
[1:36:57] Dorchester County this year.
[1:36:59] Is it something that we would be
[1:37:00] interested in discussing further?
[1:37:02] Absolutely.
[1:37:04] And the last thing is, is it true that if a
[1:37:09] and you're gonna say I can't answer that,
[1:37:10] but I'm just planting the seed,
[1:37:13] if a teenager is having trouble
[1:37:16] and they go to talk to somebody in the school,
[1:37:19] someone like you or
[1:37:21] or another healthcare provider, that they might have
[1:37:25] to have insurance and if they don't have insurance,
[1:37:28] they can't be seen.
[1:37:30] That's not really resonating well
[1:37:34] with the commissioners, right?
[1:37:35] So can someone dig into that
[1:37:37] and find out about, is that true?
[1:37:41] And what can we do to rectify that? That is,
[1:37:44] So I very concerning, I can't, I can't speak spec
[1:37:47] specifically to a student,
[1:37:50] but what I will tell you is that at
[1:37:52] for all seasons we see people regardless
[1:37:55] of their ability to pay.
[1:37:57] So two things, we have what we call open access,
[1:38:00] which came about in 2020 during COVID, which means that
[1:38:05] there's no, there's no wait list.
[1:38:07] And so you call in to our open access line,
[1:38:11] there's someone in one of our five offices,
[1:38:13] you might see them telehealth, you might walk in,
[1:38:15] we have different hours and you are, you are triaged
[1:38:20] and seen and with a clinician within typically 24
[1:38:24] to 48 hours, not six to eight months,
[1:38:26] which is the typical wait time.
[1:38:28] The second piece of that is that we do of course go
[1:38:31] through all the process.
[1:38:32] Do you have insurance? What does your insurance cover?
[1:38:35] Do you have Medicaid? You know what Medicaid covers?
[1:38:39] And if you do not have insurance, then that's my job
[1:38:43] as the advancement vice president is
[1:38:46] to raise the money to fill that gap.
[1:38:49] And so we never turn anyone away.
[1:38:55] Now, specific to a student or how that works, I don't know.
[1:38:58] And we certainly have grants that cover some in school care
[1:39:03] and outta school, but I don't know
[1:39:04] about in Queen Annes County.
[1:39:05] But what I can tell you is if this someone from Queen Anne's
[1:39:08] County needed help tomorrow
[1:39:10] and they called in to open access
[1:39:11] and they could not afford to pay, they would still be seen
[1:39:15] As I'm, as I'm talking with kids that are gone
[1:39:17] through some of these struggles.
[1:39:18] That's one of the things they're talking about.
[1:39:21] The other thing is, is having, being able to be seen,
[1:39:25] having a location at the school where they can get,
[1:39:29] they can have a therapy, I'm struggling
[1:39:33] with words right now, but
[1:39:35] Session Once a week with the same therapist.
[1:39:40] So who, who can we talk to about that to
[1:39:43] That is, yeah, that is the conversation that we would have
[1:39:47] with Beth Ann Doman
[1:39:48] and Lauren Weber who is our chief strategy officer
[1:39:52] and I work under her through the Center for Learning
[1:39:54] as as part of my team.
[1:39:56] And so those are all programs that we would work together to
[1:39:59] with the schools
[1:40:01] and maybe the commissioners, I'm not exactly sure
[1:40:03] how it works in Queen Annes County,
[1:40:05] but that is certainly a conversation that we
[1:40:07] Can have.
[1:40:08] So access and consistency,
[1:40:11] seeing the right person for that student
[1:40:16] that, and they have the space at,
[1:40:20] you know, both high schools.
[1:40:21] Right. So if you could let us know about
[1:40:24] that, we'd appreciate it.
[1:40:25] Absolutely. Happy to. Thank you so much. Thank, thank you.
[1:40:27] You doing appreciate it very much.
[1:40:29] God's work and we're, we're very grateful. Thank
[1:40:31] You. Thank you so much.
[1:40:32] Thank you. Thank you so much.
[1:40:38] Alright commissioners item number four on pages 31
[1:40:41] and 32 is resolution 26 15 temporary
[1:40:44] signs on county property.
[1:40:45] And this was intended for adopting a policy
[1:40:47] regarding temporary signs on
[1:40:49] county property and rights of ways.
[1:40:51] We currently do not have a policy to regulate those with,
[1:40:54] with the exception of our county parks. So
[1:40:57] I'm going to table this
[1:40:58] because our intent was for something goes into effect
[1:41:02] after the election so that people know going forward there a
[1:41:05] little comm I think confusion about that.
[1:41:07] So I'm gonna table so we can make sure
[1:41:08] that it's clear on that.
[1:41:10] I know we had one person, I think two people
[1:41:12] in public comment who asked about it
[1:41:15] and I think one of them was why is this coming up?
[1:41:17] All of a sudden it's not, we've been talking about it
[1:41:20] for several, several meetings going back several months.
[1:41:24] But maybe with the tabling
[1:41:28] that should hopefully address that issue.
[1:41:29] You
[1:41:31] That's fine actually.
[1:41:32] And, and I mean I've run a few times, Tim,
[1:41:34] you've run a few times Phil
[1:41:36] and all this is, it was always an unwritten policy
[1:41:39] that you don't put signs on county property, right?
[1:41:41] I mean that's going back to the first time I was ever ran.
[1:41:44] So I don't know why it became an issue this past Prime.
[1:41:47] It's, let's face it and issue primary,
[1:41:48] it was this past primary, the people were just sticking
[1:41:51] signs only takes one.
[1:41:53] And the other one is a lot of
[1:41:56] real estate signs popping up and things like that.
[1:41:59] But I think a lot of that stemmed from people seeing all
[1:42:01] these campaign signs on county property.
[1:42:02] They think, huh, I could put a sign there.
[1:42:04] So that's where this whole thing's coming from.
[1:42:06] So we'll revisit it again like
[1:42:09] December one or something like that.
[1:42:11] Alright, sounds good. Alright, thank you commissioners.
[1:42:14] Item number five on pages 33
[1:42:16] through 44 is the Queen County Community reinvestment
[1:42:19] and Repair Fund distribution plan.
[1:42:22] This is seeking the commissioner's approval
[1:42:24] for this year's plan.
[1:42:26] Before we submitted to the Maryland Office
[1:42:27] of Social Equity next month, this was established
[1:42:31] through the 2023 Cannabis Reform Act providing cannabis tax
[1:42:34] revenue to support social equities, economic development,
[1:42:38] and community needs.
[1:42:39] I move to approve the Queen Anne County Community
[1:42:42] Reinvestment and Repair Fund distribution plan
[1:42:44] and authorize its submission to the Maryland Office
[1:42:47] of Social Equity by the October 1st, 2026 deadline.
[1:42:51] Second, We have a motion to second. Any discussion?
[1:42:55] Seeing none. All those in favor signify by saying Aye.
[1:42:58] Aye. Opposed? So moved.
[1:43:00] Thank you commissioners. Item six,
[1:43:02] we have another proclamation.
[1:43:03] This is Proclamation 26 27 for Economic Development Week
[1:43:07] also September, or excuse me, September through October 2nd.
[1:43:11] So yep. Proclamation 26 27 Economic Development Week.
[1:43:15] Whereas Queen Annes County Economic
[1:43:16] and Tourism Development is an active member
[1:43:18] of the Maryland Economic Development Association,
[1:43:20] better known as mea, a nonprofit organization established in
[1:43:23] 1961 whose mission is to enhance the knowledge
[1:43:26] and skills of its members, encourage partnerships
[1:43:29] and networking among people committed to bringing jobs
[1:43:31] and capital to Maryland
[1:43:33] and promote economic development
[1:43:35] as an investment in Maryland.
[1:43:36] And whereas me, a members promote statewide economic
[1:43:39] wellbeing by working to improve Maryland's business climate
[1:43:42] and the professionalism of those in the field
[1:43:43] of economic development, including other professionals
[1:43:46] with a direct interest in Maryland's economy.
[1:43:48] Through regular educational meetings, special programs
[1:43:51] and community driven projects meet a members
[1:43:53] address diverse issues.
[1:43:55] And whereas Economic Development Week provides the
[1:43:57] opportunity for community-minded organizations
[1:43:59] to collaborate and share strategies, programs,
[1:44:02] and best practices for advancing Maryland's economy.
[1:44:04] And whereas economic developers promote economic wellbeing
[1:44:07] and quality of life for their communities by creating,
[1:44:10] retaining and expanding jobs to facilitate growth,
[1:44:13] enhance wealth, and provide a stable tax base.
[1:44:16] And whereas the economic growth
[1:44:17] and stability of the state affect all regions
[1:44:20] and jurisdictions of Maryland
[1:44:21] and Queen Anne's County economic
[1:44:23] and tourism development is an important component
[1:44:24] of the state's economic success.
[1:44:26] And now therefore be it resolved
[1:44:28] that we the county commissioners of Queen Annes County,
[1:44:30] Maryland, you hereby proclaim the week of September 28th
[1:44:32] through October 2nd, 2026
[1:44:35] as economic development week in Maryland.
[1:44:36] Signed your county commissioners.
[1:44:42] Thank you Commissioner. Yep. Alright.
[1:44:45] Okay, moving on. Commissioners,
[1:44:47] these next four items are all in reference
[1:44:49] to Providence Farm and the town of Centerville.
[1:44:52] So items item seven is the
[1:44:56] annexation annexation of the lands
[1:44:58] of Providence Farm, town of Centerville.
[1:45:00] This is a zoning web zoning waiver request.
[1:45:03] This farm was annexed into the town
[1:45:05] of Centerville back in September, 2024.
[1:45:07] This plan for mixed use development
[1:45:09] and the town's traditional neighborhood development design
[1:45:12] zoning allows for different uses
[1:45:14] and higher densities than the county's ag zoning.
[1:45:16] And the town is requesting a waiver
[1:45:19] of the five year zoning hold by the county commissioners.
[1:45:22] This has been reviewed by the town obviously
[1:45:24] and the planning commission
[1:45:25] and they both recommend unanimous approval of that.
[1:45:29] Item eight is the termination
[1:45:31] of the open space on that same property.
[1:45:34] The property is currently subject to 155.9 acre deed
[1:45:37] of open space resulting from a earlier subdivision for this,
[1:45:41] the lots along rolling Bridge Road
[1:45:44] property Enter is now requesting termination of
[1:45:46] that particular easement.
[1:45:48] State and county regulations allow for
[1:45:50] that when an annexation occurs.
[1:45:52] The town is in support
[1:45:54] and the Board of Education on a small piece
[1:45:56] of open space on their property over at Canard
[1:45:59] and they've already approved their termination
[1:46:01] of a 2.1 acre parcel there.
[1:46:05] Item 10 is the comprehensive water
[1:46:08] and sewer plan amendment 1128 decision.
[1:46:11] We had a hearing on that a couple of weeks ago also
[1:46:13] for Providence Farm to rezone that from S six W six
[1:46:17] to S3 W three And then backing up to item nine,
[1:46:21] we have an agreement to convey a 10 acre parcel
[1:46:23] of real estate from Providence Farm
[1:46:25] to the county Commissioners Plat is included in your books
[1:46:28] and this conveyance would add to additional lands
[1:46:31] that we own adjacent to the YMCA for future
[1:46:34] governmental facilities there in Centerville.
[1:46:40] I move to provide express zoning approval to the town
[1:46:43] of Centerville regarding the application
[1:46:44] of the five year zoning waiver as required
[1:46:46] by the Maryland local government code
[1:46:48] set section four dash 416 annexation planning
[1:46:51] and zoning authority for the lands
[1:46:53] of the providence at Centerville LLC, commonly known
[1:46:56] as Providence Farm Map four four F parcel 60
[1:46:59] to be zoned traditional neighborhood district TND.
[1:47:02] In addition, the county commissioners support the zoning
[1:47:04] of commercial C two zoning district on the 10 acres of land
[1:47:07] to be conveyed to the county commissioners.
[1:47:11] Second. Any discussion, questions,
[1:47:16] comments, see none.
[1:47:17] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:47:21] Abstain.
[1:47:24] All right. I move to terminate the 155.986 acres
[1:47:29] of open space located on the lands known
[1:47:31] as Providence Farm Map 44 F Parcel 60
[1:47:34] and the Queen Annes County Board
[1:47:36] of Education Map 44 F parcel 5 76.
[1:47:40] Lot one through signature of the termination
[1:47:42] of the open space easement.
[1:47:46] Second. Any discussion? Seeing none.
[1:47:51] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:47:55] Abstained five Vote
[1:47:57] I move to execute the agreement to convey real estate
[1:47:59] and deed of trust for the 10 acre parcel from the Providence
[1:48:03] Farm property to the Queenland County commissioners.
[1:48:06] Second. Any discussion on this item? See none.
[1:48:10] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed?
[1:48:15] Abstained. So moved.
[1:48:17] I move to approve the amendment of the, to the upgrade,
[1:48:20] the sewer and water service designation from S six W six
[1:48:24] to S3 W three for the property known
[1:48:27] as Providence Farm in the recognition
[1:48:29] of its recent annexation into the town
[1:48:31] of seven Centerville's incorporated limits.
[1:48:34] Second, we have a motion
[1:48:36] to second any discussion on this topic? One
[1:48:38] Quick thing on all four of these.
[1:48:40] I'll let you go Patrick. Just sort of my point
[1:48:43] of view on these things is that this is the town
[1:48:45] of Centerville's decision on how they're growing.
[1:48:47] So I sort of view, I I hate it when the state tells us what
[1:48:50] to do at the county level and
[1:48:51] That's, That's, yeah.
[1:48:52] And so unless there's something that's like sort
[1:48:54] of grossly inappropriate, I'm gonna defer
[1:48:56] to our elected officials in the town of Centerville
[1:48:59] to make their decisions and the citizens
[1:49:01] of Centerville to make their decisions.
[1:49:03] So that's why it's not like
[1:49:04] what I'm for or against this thing.
[1:49:06] I'm, I'm for Centerville deciding their fate.
[1:49:09] Most of this stuff with the towns is more just,
[1:49:13] I guess it's old hat
[1:49:14] of the commissioners having to approve a lot of this stuff.
[1:49:16] But it, it really boils down to what the towns wanna do.
[1:49:18] And the state has told everybody, including the counties,
[1:49:21] that the towns are the only place you can grow those.
[1:49:24] They're the only ones with infrastructure.
[1:49:25] So there you have it.
[1:49:27] I guess we all think alike.
[1:49:30] Would you like to say anything about this?
[1:49:32] Any thoughts about it? You are in support of it,
[1:49:35] obviously the township.
[1:49:38] Yes. Yeah, sure. Come on up.
[1:49:43] Commissioner McNeil, you want
[1:49:45] To come up?
[1:49:46] Can we take the vote? I'm call vote. Yep.
[1:49:49] So we have a motion in a second.
[1:49:52] All those in favor signify by saying aye a. Aye. Opposed?
[1:49:55] Abstain. So moved.
[1:49:57] Would you like to share with the audience
[1:49:59] about what's going on?
[1:50:01] So the town council at their last meeting last Thursday
[1:50:06] submitted a letter to the commissioners in support
[1:50:08] of the zoning waiver request termination of open space
[1:50:11] and the the water sewer designation.
[1:50:15] So we still have a little ways to go
[1:50:19] before we're ready
[1:50:20] to even the planning commission's even ready
[1:50:22] to look at this yet.
[1:50:24] So they'll, they have to go through a regulating plan
[1:50:27] and with the, with the planning commission to,
[1:50:32] to look at the layout of the property. But
[1:50:35] So lot's time for the, the citizens of Centerville
[1:50:37] to come forward and tell you they like it or don't like it
[1:50:39] and correct whatever else,
[1:50:41] Right?
[1:50:42] Yeah. The S3 W three is three to 10 years.
[1:50:45] Three to 10 years. Three to 10 years. Okay. So,
[1:50:50] And I'd just like to say very quickly, first of all,
[1:50:52] thank the county commissioners
[1:50:53] for letting the town make major your decisions on this.
[1:50:56] We appreciate that. Yes.
[1:50:57] You know I've lived here 50 years
[1:51:00] and what's the number one issue over the whole
[1:51:02] 50 years growth?
[1:51:04] The Providence Farm plan is smart growth.
[1:51:07] You want it in the county, we want it in the city
[1:51:11] housing we need in the county and the city.
[1:51:14] So we appreciate you doing what you're doing
[1:51:16] and with Carolyn's guidance we're gonna get through this
[1:51:19] and we're gonna get this done.
[1:51:20] Before I turn one five,
[1:51:25] thank you for letting us.
[1:51:27] Very good. Thank you. Thank Carolyn.
[1:51:29] Any update on the sewer, sewer plant? Nothing. MDE.
[1:51:33] Okay. Yeah. Yeah. 2031.
[1:51:36] 2031 there will be a party. Thank you.
[1:51:40] Thanks Carolyn. Thank you Jim. Thank you. Thank you.
[1:51:44] Alright commissioners, our final two items and Mr.
[1:51:47] Quimbee is here. Our director
[1:51:48] of public works really are informational.
[1:51:51] Item number 11 is just an update on the 2026 comprehensive
[1:51:54] water and sewer plan pages 1 37 to one 40.
[1:51:58] We are beginning that process to adopt the, the plan
[1:52:01] with the public hearing plan for October 27th
[1:52:05] and the adoption which is targeted for November 10th, 2026.
[1:52:08] This does include our new sewer allocation policy
[1:52:11] with thresholds and caps for
[1:52:14] residential commercial institutional uses going forward.
[1:52:17] And so just wanted to make everybody aware of that.
[1:52:21] Alan, anything you wanted to add about the the plan?
[1:52:24] No, as a requirement to degrade the plant plan every
[1:52:27] so often by Comar, actually Comar says every three years
[1:52:30] but the would like you to do it every 10 years.
[1:52:32] So we're a little bit behind. But honestly there there's not
[1:52:36] much of an upgrade between 2011 and this one. So
[1:52:40] What did you just say? I'm sorry.
[1:52:42] There's not much there.
[1:52:43] There's really not that many revisions between the 2011
[1:52:46] and the 2026 plan. Okay.
[1:52:51] So we will proceed with that. Yeah. Alright.
[1:52:53] And then our final item is the Marlin Farms
[1:52:56] and Dominion public health concern area.
[1:52:58] Update number one, pages 1 41 to 1 42.
[1:53:01] And as you know, we are advancing the, the proposal
[1:53:04] of the project to extend sewer to 504 improved properties,
[1:53:08] 77 vacant unbuildable lots
[1:53:11] and five five vacant buildable lots
[1:53:15] just running into some challenges with the funding.
[1:53:16] Everything is about the money these days
[1:53:18] and costs continuing to escalate
[1:53:20] but relatively small number
[1:53:22] of unbuildable lots doesn't really help to offset that cost.
[1:53:25] And then we have some repairs to pump station number two
[1:53:28] and upgrades that are necessary.
[1:53:30] So we're gonna continue to look at those models
[1:53:33] and hire some additional consulting firms
[1:53:35] to assist with that effort.
[1:53:36] But we are gonna go
[1:53:38] to the state's smart growth coordinating committee very soon
[1:53:42] and present this case like we did
[1:53:43] with the bru date sewer expansion as well.
[1:53:46] But we will be reaching out
[1:53:47] to the public once we have a little better handle on the
[1:53:50] parameters and the cost associated with the project.
[1:53:54] So if you have any questions about that
[1:53:55] or want to participate, we have you meetings monthly
[1:53:58] and thank if you wanna get more in depth. Yep.
[1:54:00] How much money's left in the, for the,
[1:54:03] to get the funding from the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund,
[1:54:07] what we use for Southern Ken Island
[1:54:08] for the loans and all for that stuff.
[1:54:10] I mean how much money is left?
[1:54:12] I mean is it still a healthy, I know
[1:54:13] 'cause the flush tax got flushed so to speak.
[1:54:15] So that whole,
[1:54:18] well now the flush tax flush tax stays the same until
[1:54:21] possibly 2031 when it gets cut in half.
[1:54:24] If they allow to program sunset to occur.
[1:54:26] So, which they be, the bet is
[1:54:28] that they will not because they will.
[1:54:30] So how much are they pumping in there yearly?
[1:54:32] I mean, like you said,
[1:54:34] the costs are probably rising at a quick,
[1:54:36] at a quicker pace than what they have.
[1:54:37] I have no idea how much the state generates in BRF funds.
[1:54:40] The county generates about 750,000,
[1:54:43] which is not much to do anything with.
[1:54:45] Yeah, that's my point. Maybe 15 years ago it would've done
[1:54:48] something, but nowadays yeah, yeah.
[1:54:50] Right. It was almost 750,000 again 15 years ago.
[1:54:53] What, you know, it was almost real money
[1:54:56] but now it's like nothing.
[1:54:57] So I mean, I guess my question, the root
[1:54:59] of the question is like, are obviously there's always gonna
[1:55:03] need upgrades, needed funding for upgrades needed is,
[1:55:07] is there any effort at the state to look
[1:55:09] and say, Hey, this is what things are costing now this is
[1:55:11] what we're gonna have to do because we're gonna run into,
[1:55:13] I I see us running into the same situation we have
[1:55:16] with the roads now and the state
[1:55:17] trying to take care of the roads.
[1:55:18] They, they didn't plan for it.
[1:55:19] So now they can't, they have no money to maintain 'em.
[1:55:22] We can't run into that problem
[1:55:24] with our sewer and water treatment.
[1:55:26] Right. 'cause that'll be a major mess down the road.
[1:55:28] I don't see any initiatives on the state level
[1:55:30] to increase the revenue stream now.
[1:55:32] And there's quite a bit of noise in Washington DC
[1:55:36] who provide the seed money for the revolving loan funds,
[1:55:39] which is what if we don't get grant funds, we
[1:55:42] rely on the revolving loan funds
[1:55:44] and there's a lot of noise in there
[1:55:46] that they're gonna cut that back.
[1:55:47] So no, things are not looking good
[1:55:49] from a revenue point of view.
[1:55:51] Yeah. And these, like, these calls are just accelerating,
[1:55:54] like there's no tomorrow.
[1:55:55] Yeah. So then the bottom line of the bottom line is,
[1:55:58] so this will be another thing that the counties are gonna
[1:56:00] have to figure out how to pay for in the coming years.
[1:56:03] Probably to add to all the other ones.
[1:56:05] Yeah. The other key piece we've been talking
[1:56:07] with our legislative team about is the, the fact that,
[1:56:10] as Alan mentioned, the, the Bay Restoration Fund is slated
[1:56:14] to reduce by 50% in 2031.
[1:56:17] So instead of 60 a year per residents 30.
[1:56:20] So that's gonna be a big impact.
[1:56:22] So we're, we're gonna push back against that. Well,
[1:56:24] Not to mention when they, when they put the 60
[1:56:26] in, it's not worth 60 anymore. Well,
[1:56:28] True.
[1:56:29] Yeah. Because they were basing on costs when
[1:56:30] they did it e Exactly.
[1:56:31] Good point. And now it's probably worth 10. Yeah.
[1:56:33] In real, in real dollars. And that's where the problem was.
[1:56:36] And the other issue too, the urban counties who,
[1:56:39] or produced a lime share
[1:56:40] or the Bay restoration funds, they're like, I want,
[1:56:45] I wanna keep it right.
[1:56:46] Yeah. But they're the biggest polluters.
[1:56:48] I mean they wanna keep it for themselves when, so
[1:56:51] that would really leave us out in the dry.
[1:56:53] No, I, I get it. I get it.
[1:56:54] 'cause budgets are tightening everywhere. Yeah.
[1:56:56] From all ans so, so Marlene Farm, is that gonna be stepper?
[1:57:01] Vacuum? Probably. Maybe Grinder. Really? Oh really?
[1:57:06] Grinder and, and Gravity.
[1:57:09] Definitely not gravity for,
[1:57:11] for some reason we don't have gravity, I hope.
[1:57:12] Yeah. Okay. Is that similar to what's in North Brook? Yes.
[1:57:19] That we would maintain it.
[1:57:21] Gotcha Step, I mean,
[1:57:26] reason we went with Step is
[1:57:27] because he could pump the whole way by itself,
[1:57:29] which a grinder could not.
[1:57:30] But we're tired of pumping out tanks already,
[1:57:32] which we know we gotta pump out forever.
[1:57:35] So we think we,
[1:57:36] well actually we know we get from Marley Farms
[1:57:38] to pump station two on the grinder
[1:57:43] and well, you know, we maintain 'em in Barkley.
[1:57:46] So got a few up there.
[1:57:51] All right. Moving on. Thanks Alan. That's,
[1:57:55] That's all the items we had for tonight, commissioner.
[1:57:57] So it's pressing public comment
[1:58:01] part two and then
[1:58:06] The consolidated transportation plan.
[1:58:08] Anybody sign up? That was just our information on item.
[1:58:10] Would anybody like to speak pressing public comment? No.
[1:58:15] Okay. We'll close that. Alright. Chris had to leave early.
[1:58:19] Yep. Patrick, would you like to go first?
[1:58:22] You asked me last time. Did I? I'll switch around. You did.
[1:58:26] No fell.
[1:58:30] I, I understand the most when he is like this.
[1:58:32] Jack, you got anything? Yeah, just real quick,
[1:58:36] the text amendments and people probably think we've ran
[1:58:38] through 'em rather quickly, but honestly this process
[1:58:41] for these text amendments has been going on since February.
[1:58:44] And, and by no means,
[1:58:47] and this goes back as far as I've been doing this
[1:58:49] with the text amendments, whether we put 'em
[1:58:51] through the process and
[1:58:52] allow 'em to work their way through the process.
[1:58:53] It's not an endorsement for
[1:58:55] or against them as they work their way through the process.
[1:58:56] And I think people need to understand that this is
[1:58:59] the fairest way for our citizens to actually do something.
[1:59:02] And it's the only way that they're able
[1:59:05] to bring forward something under their own guise and,
[1:59:08] and have it work through the process.
[1:59:10] Whether it's a zoning change or whatever the case may be.
[1:59:12] So we went through these
[1:59:14] because these had just recently gone
[1:59:15] to the planning commission again
[1:59:18] and we had already seen 'em once
[1:59:20] and we've added amendments that we wanted to see to them.
[1:59:23] They came back from the planning
[1:59:24] commission with the amendments.
[1:59:26] So now they must go back for another hearing.
[1:59:28] Again, the process is rather lengthy.
[1:59:32] So I, I just wanna put that out there that we're, for me,
[1:59:34] I've always said let 'em go
[1:59:37] through the process whether they make it
[1:59:39] or not, at least the, the citizens got to do.
[1:59:43] Thus the name got to put their text amendment in
[1:59:45] and have it heard by everybody,
[1:59:47] the commissioners and the public.
[1:59:48] And, and I encourage the public
[1:59:49] to read some of these text amendments.
[1:59:52] 'cause some of 'em over the years have been rather
[1:59:53] interesting and rather creative to get things done.
[1:59:58] And some work, some don't.
[2:00:00] But again, it's all part of the process
[2:00:01] and it's part of, you know, being able to do what you want
[2:00:05] with your land or at least trying to.
[2:00:07] So that's all I got. Oh yeah. Phil? Nothing.
[2:00:11] I'm good, thank you. Okay. Patrick,
[2:00:14] I'm good.
[2:00:15] I just want to send our respects to the Thompson family
[2:00:20] and it's a tough thing to, to go through.
[2:00:26] I agree with you a hundred percent.
[2:00:29] Not to mention what the county's gonna go through.
[2:00:31] Yeah. A Lot of historical knowledge passed on yesterday
[2:00:35] and it's a big vacuum to fill right now.
[2:00:40] So, big pair of shoes to fill. Yes, it is.
[2:00:43] But he always enjoyed sitting there
[2:00:45] when we had closed sessions.
[2:00:46] 'cause some of us can be comedians in this room
[2:00:49] and he would just be smiling
[2:00:50] and laughing, loving every minute of it.
[2:00:53] Probably still smiling and laughing, that's for sure.
[2:00:56] You know, and he, he, he always picked up the phone.
[2:01:00] If you call him, he always picked up the phone.
[2:01:04] Very responsive. He's apology
[2:01:06] Probably afraid we did something stupid.
[2:01:09] Oh my gosh. Why worrying about he had to go
[2:01:11] to, to court for something at airport.
[2:01:12] Why is Patrick calling me now? No, no, this can't be good.
[2:01:15] Wilson's got up on speed dial. Oh yeah. You know. Yeah.
[2:01:17] Yeah. Well I'll take a motion.
[2:01:20] I'll make a motion to adjourn. Second. All in favor? Aye.
[2:01:24] Thank you very much.